Wheeling, W. Va. - With the road portion of their 2025 schedule in the books, the Wheeling University Women's Soccer team (3-9-4, 1-7-4) come home to round out the regular season. They start the home stretch with a special senior day match-up as they take on Point Park on Sunday with kick-off at 4 PM. Along with the pregame senior day ceremony, the Cardinals have a chance to clinch their spot in the 2025 Mountain East Conference (MEC) Women's Soccer Tournament with a win and a loss by West Liberty.
Last time out, the Cardinals traveled to Frostburg State where their defense was tested against the host Bobcats. Through the first 45 minutes of play, the Cardinals were outshot 11-1, but the defense was able to hold strong. Of those 11 shots, they only allowed five to land on net, holding the Bobcats to a 45.4% shot on goal percentage. They would keep them off the board until the 32nd minute, when Frostburg State took a 1-0 lead. They would hold that lead into the halftime break, and it was a more even shot balance over the final 45 minutes. The Cardinals would take three shots, putting two of those on net, but were unable to find the back of the net on the day. Frostburg State would add one more goal in the final six minutes, and the Cardinals would fall 2-0.
Leading the Cardinal's effort in net was Akyla Walcott, who made her first start for the Cardinals since being injured back on October 5th against Davis & Elkins. Walcott would make five saves on seven shots faced on the day, and was able to whether the early storm against a tough Frostburg State team. She would make four of her five saves during that first half, including a few big saves in the opening minute that kept the Cardinals in the game early on. With the effort, Walcott moved her save percentage for the year to .706 and it was the fourth time this season that she has finished with five or more saves in a game. Walcott and the Cardinal defense will be key to the Cardina's success both in the regular season and the postseason, and Walcott looks to lead the goalkeeping group.
After being held off the board in each of the last two games, Wheeling will turn to their captain Maira Alevato to get the offense going. She put one of the team's two shots on goal and has finished with at least one shot on net in each of her last three games. Alevato scored her last goal against Salem back on October 22nd, and has been efficient over those last three games, putting all but one shot on net. The Cardinal's shot leader this season has been freshman Rosie Caley, who continues to grow on the field. She leads the team with both 30 shots and 14 shots on goal, while sitting second with three goals. The freshman has had her share of opportunities this season, and looks to capitalize in a big game for the Cardinals.
Entering the final two games of the regular season, the Cardinals are locked in a battle for the final MEC Tournament berth in the MEC North. They currently hold a three-point lead over West Liberty, and have the chance to put the race to bed on Sunday. Wheeling clinches the #4 seed in the conference with a win over Point Park as well as a West Liberty loss to Fairmont State. Both teams have won win in their conference schedule this year, and the Cardinals won the meeting between the two teams earlier this season. Wheeling is looking to avoid having the season come down to the final game of the year as was the case last season, and they are looking to take care of business and get some help from the MEC North leaders as they head into Wednesday's season finale.
The Match-up
The Cardinals and Pioneers are meeting for the fifth time in program history, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 2-1-1. It will be the second meeting at Bishop Schmitt Field, where the Cardinals hold a 1-0 record compared to a 1-1-1 record when they go on the road. The Cardinals have averaged 2.75 goals per game in the all-time series, and have gone 1-1-1 since the Pioneers joined the MEC last season.
Their first meeting of the season came back on September 13th, 2025, in a game that the Pioneers won 2-0. Sam Faulkner would lead the Cardinal's defensive effort, finishing with three saves on five shots faced. Maira Alevato led the offense with three shots, one on net, while Kaitlyn Osorio and Ana Santos each took two shots in the effort.
The Details
Kick-off for Sunday's game is scheduled for 4 PM inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with live stats by clicking HERE.
