Wheeling, W. Va. - After making the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC) Tournament for the first time since 2018 two seasons ago, the Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team was just one game from the GMAC Title game last season. Despite losing four of their top five scorers from a season ago, the Cardinals still have a strong experienced core, who has been to the playoffs as part of each of the last two seasons' GMAC Tournament runs. That core is ready to step into a leadership role this season, as the Cardinals have their sights set on getting over the hump to the GMAC title game in 2026.
Wheeling would challenge themselves through their 2025 non-conference schedule, starting things off against nationally ranked Chestnut Hill College. The Cardinals fell 16-10 but were able to bounce back with a 14-10 win against Holy Family University before opening their GMAC schedule. They would do so in dramatic fashion, defeating Davenport 7-6 in their conference opener, and went 2-1 through their first three games. They would end up splitting their first six conference games and entered April sitting at 3-3 in GMAC play. They would go on a three-game conference winning streak to end the schedule and earned the #4 seed in the GMAC Tournament. They would open the tournament with their first home playoff win since 2011, defeating Davenport 12-9, but the run would come to an end as they fell to the eventual GMAC Champions Seton Hill in the semifinals 29-4.
Despite the turnover on the offensive side of the ball, the Cardinals return their leading scorer from a season ago in senior Jack Rowe. It was a breakout year for Rowe, who led the Cardinals with 37 goals throughout the season, scoring the 10th most goals in the GMAC. He would sit top 10 in the GMAC in each of the three offensive categories during the year, sitting tied for eight in assists (22) and seventh in points (59) to round out his big season. Rowe was a part of several strong moments for the Cardinals, including scoring the game-winning goal against Davenport in the final second of the season-opening win. Over his first three seasons with the Cardinals, the senior has scored 77 goals while adding 46 assists to total 123 points for his career. He looks to continue to be an offensive leader for the team as they head into the 2026 campaign.
The most veteran position for the 2026 Cardinals will be on the back defensive line, with seniors Owen Worley and Gage Kimmel leading the group. Worley is the lone returning All-GMAC honoree from a season ago, earning Second Team All-GMAC honors. He would set career highs with 20 groundballs and 19 caused turnovers, sitting third on the team in both categories. He was also a regular contributor on offense, bringing the ball from the defensive zone and putting it into the back of the net twice during the year. Finishing right behind him on the defensive end was Gage Kimmel, who finished with 18 ground balls while causing one turnover on the season. With a new goalie in net this season, Worley and Kimmel will be relied on more heavily in the defensive game, forcing bad shots by the opposition.
Along with the veteran presence in place, Head Coach Gage Bradshaw has brought in one of his largest recruiting classes, with 14 freshmen and transfers joining the program. Included on that list are 12 freshmen looking to make their mark, led by Morgantown, West Virginia native Ayden Shepard. Shepard comes from Morgantown High School, where he was a USA Lacrosse All-American his senior season. The Attack earned three 1st Team All-State awards and two West Virginia Scholastic Lacrosse Association (WVSLA) State Championships. Looking to pass him the ball will be junior transfer Josh Wesneski, who comes to Wheeling after playing two seasons at Dominican University. Wesneski would played in 27 games for the Chargers, scoring 10 goals and one assist across two seasons.
The Cardinals are starting the year a week earlier than normal this season and will once again face a daunting preseason schedule. They kick things off against Tusculum at home on February 2nd, before traveling to Harrogate, Tennessee on February 7th to face Lincoln Memorial. After a two-week break, the team will open GMAC play on February 28th against Davenport. After playing a majority of their games at home over the last two seasons, Wheeling will be road warriors this year, with eight of their 14 games coming on the road, including four of their first five games. They will end March with a four-game home stand, with three of those being against GMAC opponents. They will then end the season with four of five on the road. Their final home game will be against Malone on April 15th against Malone.
The Wheeling University Men's Lacrosse team begins the 2026 season on Monday, February 2nd, when they take on Tusculum with opening face-off at 2 PM.
