Wheeling, W. Va. - The Wheeling University women's soccer team returns to the road Sunday, October 18, as it travels to face nationally ranked Fairmont State in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play. The Cardinals enter the matchup at 1-11-2 overall and 1-9-2 in conference play after battling Davis & Elkins to a scoreless draw Wednesday. Fairmont State comes in at 12-0-2 overall and 10-0-2 in MEC play after earning a 1-0 road victory over Point Park on Wednesday night.

Wheeling looks to build on its defensive performance against Davis & Elkins, where goalkeeper Katelyn MacInnis made four saves to earn her first career clean sheet. The Cardinals limited the Senators to four shots on goal despite facing 17 total attempts. Wheeling will look to carry that defensive effort into Sunday's matchup against a Fairmont State team that has yet to lose this season.

The Cardinals will look for some of the offensive fire power they saw against Shawnee State on October 7, where Lily Hanna, Maira Alevato and Nyah Smith all scored a goal. In two games since the offensive explosion, only Jeanery Diaz, Hanna, Alevato and Sophia Bare have put shots on goal.

As for Fairmont State, they continued their unbeaten season with Wednesday's win at Point Park. After a scoreless first half, Stephanie Pedias found the back of the net in the 60th minute off an assist from Ava Yannucci to give Fairmont State the lead. The Falcons held on for the 1-0 victory, finishing with a 15-10 advantage in shots and a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. Goalkeeper Olivia Johnston recorded four saves to secure the shutout.

The Cardinals and Falcons last faced each other on September 20. It was 2-2 heading into the 70th minute, then Fairmont State's potent offense scored five unanswered goals, earning a 7-2 victory. Graceylyn Hanna and Lily Hanna scored for Wheeling.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday at Duvall-Rosier Field in Fairmont, West Virginia.