The Wheeling Men's Soccer team (0-1)(1-2) got conference play underway Sunday in Pittsburgh, as a last minute winner put the Cardinals to bed in a 2-1 loss to Point Park. Elie Simon was the lone goal scorer for Wheeling in the 31st minute assisted by Dominic Lopez Aceves
Alberto Madail was back in goal for the Cardinals this afternoon after missing the win over Walsh last Sunday, and made his first save in the 11th minute. That was only the second shot of the game, with the first coming from Charlie Goldsmith in the 8th. It was a game that started slowly, but came to life as Andoni Pipaon struck the woodwork in the 15th minute. Point Park then came with a big effort of their own three minutes later, saved by Alberto Madail. The game appeared to be heating up with both teams scoring goals, and the first change was made by Wheeling in the 27th minute after a shot by Jon-Michael Gordon was saved by the Point Park keeper.
Luis Yanes was on for Charlie Goldsmith, and it took just 2 minutes for Wheeling to find the back of the net courtesy of Elie Simon. Dominic Lopez Aceves made the assist at the half hour mark, and Wheeling was in charge. Point Park made four substitutions of their own in an attempt to push back into the game late in the half, and begun to gather momentum. The Pioneers hit a shot off the mark in the 43rd minute before challenging Alberto Madail in the last kick of the half. Madail kept his cool, and Wheeling went into the break up one over the Pioneers.
A barrage of subs came from both sides to start the second, and fouls were exchanged as the game clearly went up a gear. Enzo Boulaoued saw a chance in the 50th but missed just over. The counter attack that followed proved to be the equalizer for Point Park, as they scored just 38 seconds later through Rocco Domenighini. With the game approaching the last third, Wheeling again found themselves in what felt like a golden goal finish. Both keepers were making good saves, and Enzo Boulaoued was seemingly finding his range as he had another shot saved.
With 20 minutes left, Point Park started to get in their groove as they had two shots in a row deflected for corners. Madail continued to make saves as the pressure got higher, putting another strong performance in. Wheeling knew a change was needed to grab the winner, as Enzo Boulaoued returned to the field for the final 10 minutes. Andoni Pipaon hit the woodwork for the second time in the game in the 78th, in what looked like it should have been the winner for Wheeling. That would, however, be the last Cardinal shot of the evening, as Point Park started to dominate. Two shots came from the Pioneers that didn't find the target, but they knew they were getting closer. Nothing came from a Point Park corner in the 88th, but a shot by Joel Gomez Mozo in the 90th was the dagger. The ball struck the net in what was near enough the last kick of the game, and with 13 seconds left, there wasn't much the Cardinals could do. The game ended Wheeling 1-2 Point Park.
Wheeling had 11 shots for the afternoon, with only three on target. Jon-Michael Gordon, Elie Simon, and Enzo Boulaoued all had a shot on target, with Simon getting his first goal of the season with an assist from Dominic Lopez Aceves. Alberto Madail put in another impressive performance in goal, making eight saves.
The Wheeling Men's Soccer team return to action on Wednesday, September 9th as they welcome Frostburg to Bishop Schmitt Field.
