Wheeling, W. Va. - The Wheeling University women's soccer team will officially open the 2026 season on Thursday, as the Cardinals travel to Walsh for a 6 p.m. matchup at Larry Staudt Field. The season opener marks the first official contest of the Jaclyn Ketter era, as Wheeling looks to begin the year with a fresh identity and build on the work done throughout practices. The Cardinals are 0-1-1 all-time against Walsh, with the two programs meeting just twice previously. Wheeling suffered a 3-1 loss to the Cavaliers in 2016, while the teams played to a 1-1 draw in double overtime in 2014. 

Wheeling enters the new season looking to build off a 2025 campaign that saw the Cardinals finish 3-11-4 overall and 1-9-4 in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play. While the results were not what the Cardinals hoped for, the team showed an ability to keep games within reach throughout the season, allowing two goals or fewer in 14 of its 18 matches. Wheeling will look to carry that defensive foundation into 2026 while finding more consistency on the offensive end. 

The Cardinals were picked sixth in the MEC North Division Preseason Poll, after earning 18 points in a vote of the conference head coaches. The ranking provides an early measuring stick as they look to climb the division standings and put themselves in position to compete for a MEC Tournament berth. 

One of the biggest storylines to watch Thursday will be how quickly Wheeling's new-look group comes together under Ketter. The Cardinals placed an increased emphasis on the offensive side in the lead up to the clash with the Cavaliers. They also begin the season with an entirely new group of goalkeepers. With returning experience on the field and a large group of newcomers joining the program, Thursday's opener will provide the first opportunity to see how the pieces fit together in an official game. 

Thursday begins a challenging stretch away from home for the Cardinals, as Wheeling will play its first three matches of the season on the road. Following the opener at Walsh, Wheeling will travel to Lake Erie on September 2 before heading to Point Park on September 6. The Cardinals will finally return to Bishop Schmitt Field on September 9, when they host Frostburg State in their 2026 home opener. 

Kick-off for Wheeling's season opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Larry Staudt Field on the campus of Walsh University. You can watch the match live by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.