Wheeling, W. Va. – After three games away from Bishop Schmitt Field, the Wheeling University Men's Soccer team (0-5-2, 0-3-1) returned home Wednesday night for non-conference action. They welcomed in Salem for the first of two non-conference matchups. Despite getting within one goal late in the game, the Cardinals could not overcome Salem, falling 2-1.

The Cardinals came out aggressive and controlled the ball throughout the first half, outshooting the Tigers 10-3. The first shot of the day for the Cardinals came in just the sixth minute of the game as Alvaro Ivanov set up for a free kick. He tried sending the shot sailing over top of the goalkeeper, but it would be punched by Josh Hills and the game stayed tied at 0-0. After an ensuing corner kick, Andrew Gerbaldo would be next up for the Cardinals, sending a shot on net that Hills saved again. Wheeling goalkeeper Daniel Delo would get his first action in the 10th minute, making a save on a shot by Josue Villegas to keep it at 0-0. It was the lone save of the half for Delo as the Cardinal defense kept the ball in Wheeling's offensive zone. 

As the game reached halftime, the score remained deadlocked at 0-0, but Wheeling had the advantage on shots. However, as the teams emerged from the locker room, it was Salem who went on the attack. They got the first two shots of the half, putting one on net that Delo was able to track down. However in the 66th minute, Salem finally broke through as Josue Villegas would take a pass from Carter Block and found the back of the net to give Salem a 1-0 advantage. Just six minutes later, the Tigers were back on the board, this time with Valentin Fritz converting the goal to make it a 2-0 Tiger lead. Wheeling would get their response in the 78th minute as Andoni Oynesa set up a corner kick. He sent it to the middle of the net and Jordan Taylor was there to head it in for his first goal of the season. Unfortunately, that was the last shot for the Cardinals as they fell 2-1 to end the night.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Taylor, who scored his first collegiate goal and is the fourth different Cardinals player to score this season. Taylor would finish with two shots on the day, putting one on net, as he continues to push for the Cardinal offense. Pablo Prieto led the Cardinals with four shots on the night, while Alonso Martinez wrapped things up with three shots taken. Daniel Delo once again got the start in net for the Cardinals, making three saves on five shots faced on the night.

The Wheeling University Men's Soccer team returns to action on Saturday, September 28th, when they host West Liberty with kick-off at 7:30 PM.