Wheeling, W. Va. – The run of Mountain East Conference (MEC) South Division play kicked off for the Wheeling Women's Soccer team (2-6, 1-4) at Bishop Schmitt Field. They played host to West Virginia State in an exciting match that would come down to the finals seconds of play. However, with 27 seconds left the Yellow Jackets would find the back of the net as Wheeling fell 2-1.
The Cardinal defense led the way throughout the night, squandering several Yellow Jackets opportunities. They limited the Yellow Jacket offense to just three shots throughout the first 45 minutes of play, with two of those finding their way on net. The first shot came just two minutes into the game as Kqira slid in front of the attempt to make the stop, and a minute later she would be back with another save to deny the Yellow Jackets. Their third shot would go high over the crossbar in the 19th minute and the game remained scoreless. the Cardinal back line of
Tayler Wells,
Kaitlyn Osorio , and
Ainslie Reuben held West Virginia State to no shots the rest of the half, opening the door for the Cardinal's offense.
The Cardinals would do just that in the 32nd minute with a little help from freshman
Lily Hanna. Earlier in the half, Hanna had taken a shot that was powerful but just high over the crossbar. The ball was bouncing around the midfield and from the 25-yard line, Hanna would strike the ball, sending it flying through the air. It floated over the goalkeepers head and into the top corner of the net as the Cardinals went up 1-0. It was one of the top Cardinal goals of the season and gave them the spark they needed. The team would hold that 1-0 lead into halftime as the Cardinals defense held strong. Wheeling outshot the Yellow Jackets 4-3 in the half, putting two of those four shots on net. The Cardinal defense looked to hold strong in the second half while the Cardinals tried to add on.
However, just five minutes into the new half, West Virginia State would get the equalizer. Sandra Linares for the ball off a corner kick and was able to sneak it into the bottom right corner of the net to tie things at 1-1. The Cardinals tried for an immediate response as
Mary DiFonzo sent a shot on net seven minutes later, but a save by West Virginia State's Laura Galindo kept it a 1-1 score. The shots remained event throughout the second half, with West Virginia State holding a slight 6-5 shot advantage over the Cardinals. Of the five Wheeling shots taken, two landed on net, but both were saved. It would come down to the game's final 27 seconds, but Linares would prove to be the thorn in the Cardinals side as she found the back of the net and State took a 2-1 lead. That is where the game would end, as the Cardinals dropped to 1-4 in conference play.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was
Lily Hanna, who finished with the lone goal on the day, while taking four shots and putting one on net. It was Hanna's fifth goal of the season in the team's eighth game as she sits tied with teammate
Mary DiFonzo with 11 points.
Talynn DeBartolo would add three shots, one on goal, while
Mary DiFonzo put her lone shot of the night on net.
Olivia Kqira would get the start in net, making four saves on six shots faced throughout the night. Her front line defense played just as strong, limiting West Virginia State's offensive opportunities throughout the night.
The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team returns to action on Sunday, October 6th, when they hit the road to face Davis & Elkins at 2 PM.
