Wheeling, W.Va- The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team (1-3-1), (1-1-1) came into the match with momentum after earning a win against West Liberty in their previous contest. However, it would be a tall order to fill as the Cardinals were set to face the reigning Mountain East Conference (MEC) North Division Champions, the Frostburg State Bobcats. The girls were up to the challenge and finished in a 1-1 tie thanks to the outstanding defensive zone play.
The Bobcats' explosive offense was off and running at the opening kickoff, recording six shots in the opening 16 minutes of play. Senior goalkeeper Sam Faulkner was tested early with two saves, but a shot from Frostburg's Cassidy Paige found its way behind her in the 19th minute to give the Bobcats the early lead, although it did not last long. Three minutes later, the Cardinals were able to create some open turf in the offensive zone as Graceylyn Hanna spotted junior Caryn Goins on the other side of goal box to tuck in the ball and tie the match at one.
Frostburg continued with their gameplan to produce a high number of shots, hoping that another one would slip past Faulkner, but it was not meant to be. She faced a barrage of shots in the ensuing 16 minutes, but the strong defense from the Cardinals forced five of the eight shots to miss the net. Goins would find herself with back-to-back shots on goal in the dying minutes of the first half, but the Frostburg goalkeeper turned them aside, ending the half.
Faulkner was called upon again to start the second half as she was forced to stop four shots in the opening 20 minutes, but it would have been more if it were not for the Cardinal defender's abilities to read where the ball was going to break up the passes. The defense remained locked on their assignments and were keeping pace with the Bobcat's attackers. The intensity ramped up in the late stages of the match as Frostburg pinned the Cardinals in their own zone. Senior Akyla Walcott stepped into the net for Faulkner after she had been injured. Walcott made the final save of the match, which preserved the 1-1 tie as the final score.
In the draw, Sam Faulkner made 10 saves while Akyla Walcott only needed to make one. Caryn Goins recorded all three shots on goal for the Cardinals and picked up the goal immediately following the Bobcats' tally. Graceylyn Hanna was credited with the assist on Goins' goal.
The Wheeling University Women's Soccer team travels to matchup with Salem University for their next contest on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025, at 4pm.
