Wheeling, W. Va. – The October home schedule opened for the Wheeling University Women's Soccer team (2-4-3, 1-2-3) as they welcomed in Davis & Elkins on Sunday. The Cardinals got on the board with two early goals, but the Senators would battle back and the game ended in a 2-2 draw. The Cardinals would put three of their six shots on net on the day as Wheeling picked up their sixth conference point of the season.

Early on, the Cardinal's defense was out to the test as Davis & Elkins pushed the offense early. Akyla Walcott would get the start in net, and made an early save to get the defense going. After an offsides call on Davis & Elkins, Wheeling would get their offense going as Graceylyn Hanna brought the ball up the Cardinal sidelines. She would send a crosser to the bottom right corner of the net, and freshman Rosie Caley was there to send the ball into the back of the net. It was her second goal of the season, and the Cardinals had a 1-0 lead in the 9^th minute. Davis & Elkins would come back up the first and sent a shot off net in the 10^th minute, before the Cardinals pushed up again. This time, it was Jeannery Diaz who came up from the midfield and the Cardinals would once again attack the right side of the net. This time, it was Lily Hanna that floated the ball over the goalkeeper's head and in 11 minutes of play, the Cardinals already were staked to a 2-0 lead.

However, the Senators kept the quick strike offense going as they quickly moved the ball on the ensuing kick-off. A foul on Hanna would set up a free kick and Sophia Brown would step in for the free kick opportunity. She would sail the ball into the top corner of the net and the Cardinals lead was cut to 2-1. After the quick strike offense from both teams, the defense would step up for the rest of the half, with neither team scoring over the next 33 minutes. Walcott would stand strong in net, making four saves over the final 33 minute stretch. Her biggest effort would come in the final minute as the Senators made one more push before halftime. A Wheeling foul by Esky Battuvshin set up another free kick and this time Walcott was there to make the save. However, Davis & Elkins would get the rebound and Addyson Cogger would send another shot on net. Walcott was once again there for the big save and kept Wheeling in front 2-1.

That would be the score as the teams headed for the halftime break With the Cardinals being out shot 9-4. Sure, they would put two of those four shots on net And looked to continue their efficiency in the second half. The Cardinals would come out aggressive as Caryn Goins nearly added to the lead. A foul would have her set up at the 40-yard-line And she sent a perfect strike to the top of the net. Davis & Elkins goalkeeper Gabriela Acevedo would leap up to make the save and it remained a one goal game. The Senators tried to mount two more pushes in the 53^rd and 66^th minutes, but Walcott continued to stand strong in net. She made both saves to keep the Wheeling lead intact at the halfway point of the second half. The Cardinal back line was working hard as well, forcing two shots off net before corner kick in the 70^th minute would finally break through the Cardinal defense.

It was once again Brown setting up for the corner, and she sent a beautiful shot towards the opposite side of the net. It curved over the head of the Wheeling defense and found the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2.  With the score now tied Wheeling's defense would face more pressure as Deetya Satyal would enter the game due to injury. It was her second game of the season and she was able to rise to the challenge. Davis & Elkins was pushing in the 78^th minute, as a foul by Caryn Goins set Davis & Elkins up at their side of the field. They sent the free kick towards net and Vivian Kerr would fire at net as Satyal dove to make the save. The rebound hit the foot of the Senator's And they rapid fired another shot on net that Satyal got in front of. The second shot. Would end up being called offsides, but the red shirt sophomore showed her ability in a big situation. The ball would go back and forth the rest of the game and in the end, things would end up in a 2-2 tie.

Leading the way for the Cardinals was Rosie Caley, who scored the Cardinal's first goal of the day, finishing with one shot and putting that shot goal. It was her second goal. Of the season, tying her first the team lead with teammate Ana Santos. Lily Hanna would account for the other Cardinal goal, taking two shots and putting one on net, while Caryn Goins added a shot on goal to round out the day. Akyla Walcott would get the start in net and made seven saves on nine shots faced in 70 minutes in net. Deetya Satyal would come on in relief after an injury, and made one save on her only shot faced. It was the Cardinals third conference tie of the season as they earned their sixth Point point in MEC play.

The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team returns to action on Wednesday, October 8th, when they take on Concord with kickoff at 1 PM.