Wheeling, W.Va. – After a long summer of training and preparation, the time has finally come for the start of the 2022-23 season. The Wheeling University Women’s Soccer team (0-0, 0-0) kicks off their season on Thursday when they take on Clarion in their home opener at 1 PM. With a mix of veteran talent and fresh faces, the Cardinals are looking for a strong start to the season as they prepare for what lies ahead in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play.
The 2021 season was a step in the right direction for the Cardinals as they finished what was their best season since the 2017 campaign. They finished the year 5-11-2 overall and 4-10-2 in conference play, taking fifth place in the MEC North Division. That is where they started the year in this season’s MEC North Preseason Poll, and they look to climb the standings. The Cardinals finished just 1.5 games out of fourth place last season and, with the top four teams from each division making the playoffs this season, they are looking to climb into one of the top four spots and make their first ever appearance in MEC postseason play. .
Returning to lead the offense for the Cardinals once again are a pair of fifth-year seniors Bradynn Porter and Kenadee Burgoyne. Both players had career-years in 2021 and are looking for encore performances during the 2022 season. Burgoyne led the way with a career-high 10 goals and two assists to earn All-MEC Second Team honors for the first time in her career. Porter followed right behind her with eight goals and a team-high three assists. On the defensive side of the ball, Mikayla Yarwood returns in net for the Cardinals after leading the MEC in saves with 132 last season. She is just 87 saves away from the program record of 219 and has a chance at reaching that goal with another strong season in 2022.
Mixed in with these veterans is a group of talented freshmen who are ready to make their mark from the get-go. Joining the offense is Hannah Schulte, who was named 2nd Team All Ohio Forward of the Year during her senior season. She will look to create more goal-scoring opportunities for the Cardinals in 2022. After being the only goalie last season, Yarwood will have two freshmen goalkeepers stepping in to help her in Sam Faulkner and Kendall Sheffy. Faulkner helped lead Erie McDowell High School to four district championships and Sheffy had success both in the net and on the field, being named second team All-County last season.
For the Cardinals, the 2022 season is also the beginning of a new era on the sidelines Emmanuel Awotula begins his first season as the Head Women’s Soccer coach. He comes from Lincoln University, where he spent the past six seasons helping to build the program. He looks to lead this year’s group into 2022 and help them get to the MEC playoffs for the first time in program history. With more spots open than ever in the tournament, now is the chance for the Cardinals to take that next step and make the tournament.
Previous Matchups vs. Clarion
Thursday will mark the third time the Cardinals have faced the Golden Eagles, and the first time that the two teams have met since the 2012 season. The all-time series is tied at one win, one loss, and one tie as one team looks to take the advantage in the all-time matchup. The Cardinals will be looking for their first win against Clarion since the 2010 season when they defeated Clarion 3-1. In their most recent matchup, things ended in a 0-0 tie back on September 11th, 2012.
Former Cardinal Holly Kraus led the way in net that game with eight saves on eight shots, including three big saves in overtime. A trio of former Cardinals led the offense with Jenna Klemkowsky, Brittany DiCapio, and Aliya Kurieshy all finishing with two shots on the day.
The Details
Kick-off for Thursday’s home opener against Clarion is scheduled for 1 PM at Bishop Schmitt Field, and you can buy tickets by clicking HERE. You can also watch the game live on MEC.TV by clicking HERE or follow along with Live Stats by clicking HERE.