Wheeling, W. Va. – For The first time during the 2025 season, The Wheeling University Men', 's Soccer team (1-6-1, 0-5-1) got out to an early lead. However, despite the early score, it wouldn't be enough as the Cardinals fell to Frostburg State on Wednesday night 3-1 at Bishop Schmitt Field. It was an even match-up throughout the night, with both teams taking 13 shots in the game, but the Cardinals could not get key shots to fall throughout the second half.

The Cardinals have featured a strong defensive unit throughout the season, and that was once again displayed on Wednesday. Neither team would get off a shot over the first 10 minutes, and Frostburg State's first shot in that 10^th minute would be off the mark. Daniel Delo got the start in net for the Cardinals and would come through with his first save of the game in the 12^th minute and kept things at a 0-0 tie. The Cardinals would pushed through in the 15^th minute with Jon-Michael Gordon taking the first Cardinal shot of the night. Like Frostburg State's, Wheeling's first shot would also be off target, and another Delo Save would keep things scoreless. The Cardinals continued to push the ball forward, with Gordon and Otto Amesty taking shots off net over the next five minutes, before they finally broke through in the 27th minute. A foul On Frostburg State's Mason Salvage set Wheeling up for a free kick. 30 yd away from the goal.

It would be Andoni Pipaon lining up the kick for the Cardinals sent it towards the bottom right corner of the net. The Bobcat's goalkeeper Jan Forrest tried to come out to intercept the kick, but it went past him and onto the head of Alex Yesufu. Yesufu was able to do the rest, heading the ball into the top right corner of the net to give Wheeling a 1-0 lead. It was the first time this season that the Cardinals had been staked to a lead with Yesufu scoring his first goal of the season. However, 2 minutes later Frostburg State went on the attack Aand had their response. It would be Salvage making up for his costly foul as he worked around the Wheeling defense and found the back of the net to tie things at 1-1. In the 36^th minute, Frostburg state would take their first lead of the night thanks to a goal from Nate Kennedy. Wheeling would make one more push before the halftime break, with Alonso Martinez sending a header on net, but Forrest would make the save and Wheeling one in half time. Trailing 2-1.

Both offenses were dead even in the first half, with both teams taking six shots and putting three of those on net. The Cardinals were down by one but came out strong in the first half taking the first two shots. Their first would come on a corner kick in the 47^th minute when Henri Falcon sent one over the crossbar, and their second came in the 56^th minute when Gordon also sailed a shot high. Frostburg State's first shot would also fall off net and neither team would put a shot on goal over the first 20 minutes of the new half. The teams went shot for shot during that stretch with Wheeling out shooting the Bobcats 4-3 as the Cardinals remained in the game. However, things would be more challenging for the Cardinals as they had to play a man down after receiving a red card halfway through the first half. They continued to push up field, but their disadvantage in numbers would squander few offensive opportunities.

In the games 74th minute, Frostburg State found an opening with Inzahgu Harmon coming down the sidelines with a one-on-one opportunity. He got Delo just in front of the near post and tried to go to the opposite corner, but the Wheeling goalkeeper was able to make a big kick save to keep it a one goal deficit. The Cardinal's Antonio Herra-Blackwood would try to get the equalizer in the 77^th minute, but his shot would end up sailing past the far post. In the 82^nd minute, Frostburg State would put the nail in the coffin as Frank Stare took advantage of a One-On-One opportunity with the Wheeling goalkeeper. Could sneak the ball into the back corner in Frostburg State. Took a 3-1 lead 8 minutes to play. Elie Simon would try to put a free kick into the back of the net in the 83^rd minute but the save was made. Stopping the Cardinals come back effort. In the end, Wheeling would fall 3-1 as they moved to 0-5-1 in MEC play.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Alex Yesufu, who finished with the lone Cardinals goal, while taking one shot. It was the first goal of the season for Yesufu, and have the Cardinals their first lead of the season. Elie Simon would lead the offensive attack, taking four shots and putting one on net, while Jon-Michael Gordon added three shots. Alonso Martinez would put the final shot on net on the day as he rounded out the offense. Daniel Delo would finish the day with three saves on six shots faced. The two teams were dead even in shots, with both taking 13, but Frostburg State put five on net compared to four for the Cardinals.

The Wheeling University Men's Soccer team returns to action on Sunday, October 6^th, when they travel to Davis & Elkins with kick-off at 2 PM.