Pittsburgh, Pa. - The Wheeling University women's soccer team battled Point Park through a scoreless opening 79 minutes Sunday afternoon before the Pioneers scored twice late to hand the Cardinals a 2-0 loss at F.N.B. Stadium. The matchup marked Wheeling's first Mountain East Conference game of the season as the Cardinals wrapped up their three-game season-opening road swing and moved to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in MEC play.
Wheeling and Point Park battled through a scoreless first half, with the Cardinals creating several early opportunities. Mikayla Young put two shots on goal in the opening 45 minutes, while Sophia Bare also forced a save from Point Park goalkeeper Nicole Kuchinski. Madison Reis-Elbara kept the Pioneers off the scoreboard throughout the first half, making three saves as the teams entered halftime tied 0-0.
The Cardinals continued to battle defensively throughout the second half, with Reis-Elbara making seven additional saves to finish the afternoon with 10. The score remained tied until the 79th minute, when Point Park's Rebecca Pihlgren found the back of the net at the 79:20 mark. Just 90 seconds later, Pihlgren struck again to give the Pioneers a 2-0 advantage. Wheeling had a late opportunity from Sophia Bare, but her 81st-minute shot went wide as Point Park held on for the win.
The Cardinals will now return home for the first time in 2026 when they host Frostburg State Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Bishop Schmitt Field.
