Wheeling, W. Va. - With just three games remaining on the 2024 regular season schedule, the Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team (4-7, 2-4) will have the benefit of playing out their schedule at Bishop Schmitt Field. The three-game home run kicks off on Wednesday evening when the Cardinals host Malone with opening faceoff scheduled for 5 PM. The Cardinal's magic number to clinch a spot in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) playoffs moves to three as the Cardinals continue their quest to get back to the GMAC playoffs for the first time since the 2018 season.

The Cardinals hit the road for the final time during the 2024 regular season last time out, as they took on Tiffin for the first time in program history. As they have done in seven of their first 11 games of the season, the Cardinals would score first in the second minute of the game and went on to score the first four goals of the game. However, Tiffin would slowly battle back into the game, going on a 3-1 run over the final 6:57 of the first half, and the Cardinals went into the locker room with a 5-3 halftime lead. As they entered the second half, the Cardinals took over the game, with nine goals in the third and four more added in the fourth to round out the day. The defense stiffened, allowing just four second half goals and the Cardinals would go on to win 18-7, improving to 2-4 in GMAC play.

It was a big offensive day for the Cardinals, and it was led by Mike Andersson, who finished with seven goals and seven points to lead the way for the Cardinals. It was Andersson's biggest offensive performance of the season, and was just three shy of the single-game record of 10 goals, which he set during the 2023 season. Andersson was also efficient throughout the afternoon, taking 11 shots on the day, putting 10 of those on net, and converting seven of those 10 into goals. Andersson currently sits as one of the top 10 goal scorers in the conference this season, with 34 goals in 11 games to sit second overall in the GMAC. He has scored three or more goals in seven of those 11 games and continues to be a threat for the Cardinal offense moving forward.

On the defensive end, the Cardinals got a big boost from goalkeeper Austin Hall, who not only limited the Dragons, but helped on offense as well. He would face 22 shots on the afternoon, and made 15 saves for a save percentage of 68.1%. Hall currently sits second in the GMAC with 154 saves this season and fourth with a .531 save percentage in his 11 games. He also picked up his first career assist against Tiffin, firing a clear to an open Andersson down field, who converted for the Cardinal's 17th goal of the day. The Cardinals also had another milestone moment in the game against Tiffin, when Jacob Knippel became the second Cardinal to eclipse the 100 career point mark, bringing his career total to 109 with four total points, two goals and two assists.

As they enter the final three-game stretch the Cardinals currently have a hold on the final spot in the GMAC Tournament. They sit with a 2-4 record in GMAC play and hold a one-game lead over Tiffin for that final spot. Wednesday's matchup will be a big one for the Cardinals as they take on Malone, who currently sits as the #3 seed in the tournament, with an 8-5 overall record and a 4-1 mark in GMAC play. The Pioneers enter play having won four of their past five games, with the only loss during that stretch coming at the hands of Seton Hill. Wheeling looks to keep momentum on their side as they look to inch closer to a GMAC playoff berth.

The Matchup

The Cardinals and Pioneers are meeting for just the second time in program history on Wednesday, with Wheeling leading the all-time matchup at 1-0. Wednesday will mark the first trip for Malone to Bishop Schmitt Field, after the Pioneers hosted the meeting between the two teams a year ago. The two teams scored a combined 31 points in their first meeting a year ago, and both offenses will look to get going one again on Wednesday.

Wheeling took the first meeting between the two teams on the road last season with a 17-14 win. Leading the way for the Cardinals was Mike Andersson, who set the single-game goal record in that matchup with 10 goals on 14 shots, 13 on goal. Dylan Lavern and Dakota Strong each added two goals of their own in the game as the offense went shot for shot with the Pioneers.

The Details

The opening face-off for Wednesday night's game is scheduled for 5 PM inside Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.