Wheeling, WV - The Wheeling Men's Soccer team (1-11-1), (0-9-1) looks to continue their momentum in a home match against Davis & Elkins (6-4-3), (6-3-3) on Wednesday evening at 4 PM. In each game they have played in the last 10 days their opponent scored one less goal than the previous game. Wheeling also scored more than their season average last time out on the road against a top 3 MEC opponent.
On Sunday against Point Park Ruesca Martinez got Wheeling on the board 48 seconds into the game. This first goal of the game is very important for Wheeling. In all of its wins this season they have scored first. It took until the 38th minute for Point Park to tie, and the 57th minute when Point Park scored the go ahead goal. Diego Marquez played a good game, saving 75% of the shots on goal.
Marquez has been a steady presence in net for the Cardinals, holding a .696 save percentage across his eight games played. He is allowing just under two goals per game, while making 32 saves on 46 shots faced on the season. Marquez tied his career-high with his six saves against the Pioneers, tying the mark he previously set last time the team faced Point Park back on September 14th. His .696 save percentage sits sixth in the conference among eligible goalkeepers, and he is responsible for the team's only win of the season, back when they battled Salem on September 19th. Marquez looks to continue his strong freshman season as he continues leading the Cardinal's defensive effort.
On the offensive end, Ruesca Martinez would get the Cardinals on the board early off a free kick just 48 seconds into the game. Martinez would take the shot from around midfield, and was able to bounce the ball just over the head of the leaping Point Park goalkeeper. It was the first collegiate goal for Martinez, and makes him one of six different Cardinals to score at least one goal this season. Wheeling's points leader has also been the captain of the defensive effort, Pablo Prieto. Prieto is the only Cardinal to have two goals this season, and has played the full 90 minutes as the team's centerback in all but one game this season. Against Point Park, he took one shot, leaving it off net, but helped the Cardinal defense hold the Pioneers to just a .533 shot on goal percentage in the game.
Earlier this season, Wheeling caught Davis and Elkins at the wrong time. It was during a 4 game home stretch and winning streak for the Senators. This time, Wheeling is catching D&E in a stretch of 3 of 4 home games of their own. Wheeling has also played better in each consecutive game during this stretch. While the Cardinals are on the outside looking in for an MEC Tournament spot, they are looking to do some damage down the stretch. The Cardinals currently sit 10 points out of the final playoff spot with three conference games to go, but all three of those games come against teams currently in the playoff picture. Wheeling will look to knock off some of these teams, and play spoiler down the stretch.
The match is scheduled for Wednesday October 22nd at 4 PM on Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game HERE and follow along with live stats HERE.
