Wheeling, W. Va. - Through their seven-game non-conference schedule, the Wheeling University Women's Lacrosse team (3-4, 0-0) have battled against some of the top competition across the region. They look to take the lessons they have learned and put them to practice as they kick-off their Mountain East Conference (MEC) stretch on Saturday. They will hit the road to face the newest MEC team when they take on Point Park at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh, with opening draw at 5 PM.
Wheeling wrapped up their non-conference schedule with an overtime thriller against Findlay last week, picking up an 8-7 victory. The Cardinals came out of the gate fast and furious, scoring four goals in the opening quarter and taking a 4-1 lead after 15 minutes of play. However, Findlay's defense would step up, holding the Cardinals to one goal over the next 30 minutes and the teams entered the final quarter with the Cardinals holding a 5-3 lead. It was the Oiler's turn to take off, scoring four goals down the stretch and taking a 7-6 lead with 2:20 to play. The Cardinals quickly answered a minute later and forced the first overtime game of the season for the Cardinals. Halfway through the overtime period, it was a senior connection that ended the day and the Cardinals would walk away with an 8-7 win, their third win of the season.
Scoring that game winning goal for the Cardinals was senior Jovie Noack, who finished the day with two goals and one assist to total three points. She would both start and end the scoring for the Cardinals, scoring the first goal 40 seconds into the game and adding the final goal in overtime. It continued a string of success for the senior that has seen her score at least two goals and at least one assist in each of the last four games. It started with a season-best effort against Chestnut Hill and has carried through the rest of the non-conference schedule. She enters conference play as the team leader with 17 goals and 26 points on the season, while sitting in a tie for second with nine assists. The 2025 Second Team All-MEC honoree, looks to keep her success going into the conference schedule as she leads the offense on the field.
The senior that found her for the game winner was Sophia Cirone, who finished as the Cardinal's points leader on the day. Cirone would finish with three goals and two assists, totaling five points, while putting four of her five shots on net. Cirone sits right behind Noack with 21 points this season, while tying with her fellow senior with nine assists on the year. She has picked up a hat trick in two of her last three games, and has scored three or more goals in three of the six games she has played this season. Leading the defensive effort was Giavonna Perkins in net, who has come back strong after an early season injury. The sophomore keeper finished with nine saves on 16 shots faced to finish with a .562 save percentage. Over her last two games, Perkins has been playing her best lacrosse making 19 saves on 37 shots faced for a .513 save percentage. As the Cardinals fight to get back to the MEC Tournament, Perkins will be a key part of that success in net.
As Wheeling jumps into their first week of MEC play, the Cardinals will have to handle their business on the road. After playing five of their first seven games at home, the conference schedule will send the Cardinals on the road for two of their first three games. The Cardinals will be in search of their first road win of the season, going 0-2 away from Bishop Schmitt Field, as they make their push to get back to the MEC Tournament. With the addition of Point Park to the 2026 MEC Women's Lacrosse landscape, the race to the MEC Tournament is getting more competitive. The top five teams in the conference earn a spot in the tournament, with Dominican University automatically clinching the #3 seed. The Cardinals will have to beat out two of their conference opponents to get back as they look to not only return to the MEC semifinals, but compete for a conference title.
The Match-up
The Cardinals and Pioneers are meeting for the first time in program history at Highmark Stadium on Saturday. The Pioneers are competing in their inaugural season of Women's Lacrosse, going 2-4 over their six-game non-conference stretch. They won their first ever game against Ursuline College 21-2, but enter Saturday on a three-game skid with losses to Edinboro, Tiffin, and Westminster. Wheeling will be the one to welcome the Pioneers to MEC play, and are looking to start the all-time series with a win.
The Details
Opening draw for Saturday's game is scheduled for 5 PM at Highmark Stadium. You can watch the game live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.
