The Wheeling University Men's Soccer Team (3-7)(1-6) returned home this afternoon as they Welcomed #4 University of Charleston to Bishop Schmitt Field. Coming off the back of a 1-0 victory against West Virginia Wesleyan last weekend, the Cardinals couldn't quite carry their form through as they fell 3-0 to the Golden Eagles.
It was a slow start that ultimately killed the Cardinals, as Charleston opened the scoring just two minutes and 22 seconds into the game through Martin Echarren. The Golden Eagles pushed on from there, and just nine seconds into the ninth minute, Echarren had his seconds. Two shots, and two goals for the visitors had the Cardinals down two early. Wheeling regained composure following the goals, and started to settle into a rhythm. Jon-Michael Gordon got his eye in with a shot on goal in the 17th minute, only for it to be saved at the feet of the Charleston keeper. It was a good sign for Wheeling however, as they were beginning to press well.
Alberto Madail made a save of his own as the first period passed the half mark, and substitutions from both teams broke up the flow of the game. Both teams struggled to create any solid chances, as there were no shots on target for the remainder of the first period. Charleston had a shot miss just wide in the 44th, which was the last spark of action the period brought. The first half ended with the Golden Eagles holding a two goal lead.
Charleston again started on the front foot from the whistle, as they had four attempts inside of the first eight minutes of the second. Only one of them troubled Alberto Madail in the Cardinal goal, which he was able to save comfortably to keep the deficit at two. The Charleston pressure didn't stop however, and in the 61st minute, the Golden Eagles made it three through Noah Paschalides.
The Cardinals started to play with some freedom following the third goal, but unfortunately not enough to find a way past the Charleston keeper. Javier Ramos was the bright spark through the middle for the Cardinals, having two attempts on goal that forced saves out of the Charleston keeper. As the game neared the 89 minute mark, Wheeling were playing fluid soccer, and creating good chances. Elie Simon fired one off the woodwork in the 81st, and it looked like Wheeling's best chance at a goal had just narrowly slipped by. Charlie Goldsmith looked for a late conciliation with a minute and a half to go, but the Charleston keeper stood strong for the save. The Golden Eagles ultimately proved too strong for the Cardinals, as the game finished 3-0.
The Wheeling University Men's Soccer Team return to action on Wednesday, October 7th, when they welcome MEC newcomers Shawnee State to the Wheel.
