California, Pa - The Wheeling University Men's Soccer team (0-0, 0-1) got their 2026 campaign underway on Thursday with a visit to California University of Pennsylvania, in what was a 2-1 loss. The Cardinals went up at the end of the 1st half courtesy of Luis Yanes, but conceded two late goals in the second to fall 2-1.
The Cardinals started the game with high intensity from the off, with Andoni Pipaon missing just over the bar inside a minute. Javier Ramos was the next to have an attempt on goal 5 minutes later, this one also just over. It was a fast start that seemed to be getting to California, with Jorgen Bjerkreim and Jon-Michael Gordon being fouled within a minute of each other. Wheeling continued their fast start with a shot just wide courtesy of Charlie Goldsmith, the Englishman making his debut for the Cardinals. Clearly needing a change, California made their first substitution in the 17th minute. The Vulcans pushed their way back into the game mid way through the first 45, with 2 shots coming at the Wheeling net inside of 10 seconds. The two teams were trading fouls as the game neared 30 minutes, with CAL-U making another two changes.
With the game looking like a stalemate, the Cardinals made three changes of their own in the 35th minute bringing on Davide Massa, Luis Yanes, and David Medellin. It was Luis Yanes who made the big Difference for Wheeling, as the Cardinals lined up for a corner kick with 41:07 to play. Pipaon would take the corner kick and, after a header from Joergen Bjerkreim went to the left, Yanes was there to put the ball in the back of the net. It would be the first goal of the 2026 season for Wheeling to put the Cardinals one up. Pipaon was fouled to put an end to the first half, and the Cardinals would head into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Both teams made five substitutions each to open the second, and Wheeling's Enzo Boulaoued wasted no time in trying to double the Cardinal lead, with a shot going just wide. Two more substitutions came in the 59th minute for CAL, and they got one of their own back off Wheeling with an impact sub. Ryan Moessner scored the equalizer for California, just 31 seconds after entering the field. California was clearly pushing the momentum their way, with two more Vulcan shots resulting in back-to-back and saves by Alberto Madail, also on debut. Four more subs from California along with three from Wheeling came on the hour mark as the game looked on the edge.
It was clear that the next goal scored would most likely be the winner, and following a second yellow for Pablo Prieto, the Cardinals were forced to play the last 20 with a man down. The game was getting tense, with no team getting strong possession of the ball. 15 minutes went by with only two shots from California, both off target. With four minutes to go, it was California who broke away and took the winner, courtesy of Jaime Marcelo Espinosa. The Vulcan defense would hold Wheeling at bay the rest of the way, and the game finished with a comeback win for California.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was Luis Yanes, who scored the lone Cardinal goal in the effort. It was the only shot he would take on the evening, and took full advantage of his substitution at the end of the first half. The other two points on the night came from Andoni Pipaon and Joergen Bjerkreim, who each finished with one assist on the night. In his collegiate debut, Alberto Madail would get the start, making three saves on five shots faced during his 90 minutes in net. Rounding out the Cardinal offensive opportunities were Javier Ramos, Jon-Michael Gordon, Charlie Goldsmith, and Enzo Boulaoued, who each finished with one shot on the day.
The Wheeling University Men's Soccer team will return to action on Sunday, August 30th with a visit from Walsh to Bishop Schmitt Field at 6 PM.
