The Wheeling University Men's Soccer Team played their last regular season home game of the year tonight, as they welcomed Point Park to Bishop Schmitt Field. It was senior night delight for the Cardinals, as they powered through the Pioneers to win 2-0 and keep their playoff hopes alive.
The first half began with both Wheeling and Point park exchanging possession of the ball and both chances at both sides of the field Rielly Nickles had his and the teams first shot on target of the afternoon saved by the Point Park keeper in the early stages of the 13th minute, before Alberto Madail had his work cut out for him at the other end, to which he dealt with calmly.
With both teams clearly struggling to find the opener, coaches turned to their benches and substitutions came. Since Reilly Nickles had his shot on target saved in the 13th minute, neither teams managed an effort at goal for the remainder of the half. A Cardinal corner kick was the last chance of the half, but it came to nothing and the half ended 0-0.
A flurry of substitutions came to start the second period, and newly introduced Jorgen Bjerkreim didn't waste hid time trying for the opener, as he forced a save out of the Point Park keeper in the 50th. Almost straight away, the Pioneers forced a save out of Madail at the other end, and the game looked to be picking up pace. The 56th minute was where the Cardinals started to take control and force the issue. The Cardinals had three corner kicks in quick succession at the 58 minute mark, where David Montoya fired one goal-ward to force a good stop out of the visiting keeper. Wheeling knew the opener wasn't far, and following a foul on Javier Ramos in the 60th minute, Reilly Nickles found the strike the Cardinals were looking for. It was 1-0 Wheeling from a set piece, and a huge goal for playoff hopes.
Wheeling searched for the opener for over an hour, but the second came just 6 minutes later. A corner taken by Javier Ramos was flicked to meet Charlie Goldsmith at the back post, who sent it home and gave the Cardinals a 2-0 lead. The Cardinals had breathing room, but it wouldn't come without pressure from the Pioneers. As the game reached the 70th minute, Point Park had two shots that narrowly missed wide. They continued their high pressure for another ten minutes, but couldn't find their way past Alberto Madail. As the minutes went on, Point Parks chances of a comeback were lowering, and the Cardinals started to see more of the ball knowing the game was theirs. The game finished 2-0 Wheeling, and the Cardinals go into their final game of the season with the playoffs on the line.
The Wheeling University Men's Soccer Team return to action on Wednesday, October 28th, when they travel to West Liberty for the final regular season game.
