Wheeling, W. Va. – Throughout their non-conference schedule, the Wheeling University Women's Lacrosse team (2-4, 0-0) has had the luxury of playing most their games on their home field. On Saturday, the team returns to Bishop Schmitt Field for their final non-conference tune-up, when they face the University of Findlay at 1 PM. Wheeling is looking to bounce back after a hard fought battle with ranked opponent Slippery Rock last time out, and look to build momentum heading into Mountain East Conference (MEC) play.
Last time out, the Cardinals took on #7 Slippery Rock and kept the Rock at bay early. Thanks to six saves in net and a strong presence from the Cardinal defense, Wheeling held the Rock to just three goals over the first 15 minutes of play. However, the #7 team in the nation showed why they are ranked in the second quarter, rattling off eight goals to open things up. The Cardinals would get on the board before the halftime break, but trailed 11-1 heading to the locker room. The Rock would get off double digit shots in each of the first three quarters, getting to the 19 goal mark before the depth pieces came on the field. They would end up closing the gap in the final quarter, getting off five shots compared to six for Slippery Rock, and scored for the third straight period. However, it wouldn't be enough as the Cardinals fell 22-3 to move to 2-4 through their first six Non-Conference games.
Leading the effort for the Cardinals was senior Jovie Noack, who scored two goals and one assist to total three points in the effort. She would get the Cardinals on the board in the second quarter, coming after Slippery Rock scored the first 10 goals of the game. Noack would cut in front of the net and took her shot to stop the running clock and make it a 10-1 game. Her second goal would come in the final quarter of play as Noack put her second goal in the net to finish out the scoring for the Cardinals. She would play a part in all three Cardinal goals on the day, picking up an assist on the second Cardinal goal, to continue her trend of scoring success. She has scored at least three goals and one assist in each of her last three games, propelling herself to the top of the Cardinal leaderboard. She leads the Cardinals with 15 goals and 23 points through six games, while sitting second on the team with eight assists.
Keeping the Rock at bay early was sophomore Giavonna Perkins, who made 10 saves on 11 shots faced in her 30 minutes in net. In the first quarter, she would put on her best performance of the day, saving six of the nine shots she faced and keeping the score at 3-0. After starting the season injured, Perkins has battled her way back to full health, and has started each of the last three games for the Cardinals. She has raised her season save percentage to .410, while making a team-high 41 saves on the season. The other Cardinal to finish with a goal in the effort was junior Trinity Rose, who scored the second Cardinal goal in the effort. Sy be would get on the board in the third quarter, taking a pass from Noack and finding the back of the net. She has gone back and forth with Noack for the team lead throughout the year, and currently sits second with 14 goals and 19 points on the season.
With the non-conference portion of the schedule wrapping up, Wheeling is looking to get back in the win column before taking on their conference schedule. Bishop Schmitt Field has been a safe haven for the team over the first six games of the season. Both of their wins have come on their home field, where they are 2-2 this season compared to an 0-2 mark on the road. The offense has played better at home, averaging 14.5 points per game on their home field while scoring in double figures in three of their four home contests. They are taking on a Findlay team that finds themselves in a similar spot to the Cardinals. The Oilers enter the contest having lost each of their last three games, and have played on the road for all five games so far this season. Wheeling is looking to continue that Oiler losing streak and get themselves in the win column before the MEC schedule starts next week.
The Match-up
The Cardinals and Oilers are meeting for the fifth time in program history, with Findlay leading the all-time series at 3-1. The lone Cardinal win in the series came on the Cardinal's home field, where they are 1-2 compared to an 0-1 record on the road. The two teams are meeting for the first time since the 2019 season and the Cardinals look to keep their high scoring ways going. They have averaged 12.25 goals per game across the series while scoring in double figures in three of the four all-time meetings between the two teams.
The last meeting between Wheeling and Findlay came back on February 24th, 2019, in a game that Findlay would win 21-8. Former Cardinal Mackenzie Kaderabeck, who finished with four goals and one assist in the effort, accounting for half the team's offense. Former Cardinal Hayley Holmquist would add two goals of her own, while former Cardinals Bethany Wallingford and Paige Orbell each scored in the effort.
The Details
Opening draw for Saturday's game is scheduled for 1 PM inside Bishop Schmitt Field. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
