Wheeling, W. Va. – After rebirthing the program after a five-year hiatus in 2025, the Wheeling University Women's Lacrosse team (6-7, 4-4) are back in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament. They begin their run in the MEC Play-In Game when they host Davis & Elkins with opening draw at 2 PM. Despite being in their first season, Head Coach Faith Flanagan and her team are looking to show that they belong among the best of the best in the conference.
Last time out, the Cardinals battled Frostburg State, the defending champions from the 2024 season, and it was a battle early on. The two teams traded the first four goals of the game and by the 10:55 mark of the first quarter the game was tied at 2-2. The Cardinals offense would take control from there, scoring three straight goals and taking a 4-2 lead with 4:21 to go in the first quarter. Frostburg State would battle back to tie the game, but a late quarter goal from the Cardinals gave them a 5-4 lead. However, from there, Frostburg State would get their offense going, scoring eight second quarter goals and led 12-5 at the break. The Cardinals would continue to fight, scoring two goals over the final 15 minutes, but it wasn't enough as they fell 22-8.
Leading the way for the Cardinals not only in this game, but throughout the season has been Trinity Rose. Rose was the Cardinals leader with three goals in the game, and was the one who helped open the Cardinal's early lead with back-to-back goals that made it a 4-2 game. She would put all six of her shots on the day on net, making her the most efficient shooter for the Cardinals on the day. Along with her success on the offensive side, Rose was also the Cardinal's leader on the defensive side of the ball. She finished with a team-best four caused turnovers and two ground balls, while leading the team with. 10 draw controls. The sophomore already holds the single season record in both draw controls (78) and caused turnovers (51) and needs just two more ground balls to break that single season record.
The other Cardinal to score multiple points the day was Sophia Cirone, who finished with one goal and one assist to total two points. Her goal would come right at the end of the first quarter giving the Cardinals their 5-4 lead after one quarter. She sits as the Cardinals second leading scorer with 26 points this season while also sitting second with 13 assists. On the defensive side, the Cardinals have had a dynamic duo in net with goalkeepers Giavonna Perkins and Maisy Latus in net. Perkins would get the start against Frostburg State and allowed the Cardinals to take the early lead. She ended up making nine saves on 21 shots faced, playing 23 minutes. Latus would come in to slow things down and ended up making eight saves on 18 shots faced. Those goalies will have to play strong defense throughout the tournament for the Cardinals to make a deep run.
Counting 3 years prior to the hiatus, the Wheeling University Women's Lacrosse Team is making their fourth straight MEC Tournament appearance. Due to Dominican University entering the conference and earning the automatic #3 seed, Wheeling would burn the conference's #4 seed. It allowed them the right to host the play-in game against #5 seeded Davis & Elkins. It will be the program's first home playoff game Since they hosted the 2017 MEC Championship, where they meet Shepherd 14-8. The winner of the play-in game will then travel to Frostburg State. Take on the #1 seed in the tournament field. It will be a challenging road back to the conference title game, but the Cardinals are looking to show that they are not ready to back down from the challenge.
The Matchup
The Cardinals and Senators will be meeting for the fourth time in program history and the first time in postseason play. Wheeling has won each of the three previous matchups between the two teams, including a 1-0 record at Bishop Schmitt Field. It has been a high scoring series overall with the Cardinals averaging 15.75 goals per game, And having never scored less than 13 goals in a game.
It will be the third meeting between the two teams this season with the last matchup coming on April 9th, 2025. The Cardinals would end up winning the game 19-7 to help them sweep the season series. The Cardinals would be led by Sophia Cirone, who finished with five goals and one assist on the day. Paige Jankowski would follow behind her with four goals while Giavonna Perkins made 13 saves on 20 shots faced.
The Details
Opening Draw for Sunday's game is scheduled for 2 PM inside Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
