The Malone University women's soccer team defeated the Wheeling University Cardinals by a score of 3-2 on Wednesday night. The Pioneers begin their 2019 season 2-0 and Mountain East Conference opponent Wheeling drops to 0-2, both losses coming to Great Midwest Athletic Conference opponents.
 
Pace of play was blazing in the opening minutes, with both teams getting great opportunities to score early. The Pioneers surged toward the net and had a few close chances but failed to score.
 
In the 14th minute, the Cardinals struck first with a long range missile from Kenadee Burgoyne to make it 1-0 Wheeling.
 
With time running out in the first half, the Pioneers knotted up the score at 1 with a goal from Danielle Lung, her second of the young season. It came off a wonderful outlet pass from Amanda Kinsey and Lung danced and dodged around a defender and the keeper to put it home.
 
In all, Malone fired off 12 shots in the first half, compared to only five from Wheeling.
 
Nearly 10 minutes in to the second half, Kirsten Hilty netted a ball from a nearly impossible angle on the right side of the pitch. What looked like it might be a crossing pass, ended up flying over the keeper's head and into the goal to give Malone a 2-1 advantage.
 
Keeley Malley converted in the 75th minute for her first goal of the season to give the Pioneers some breathing room. However, the 3-1 lead might not have been as safe as they thought it was.
 
Wheeling charged towards the new Pioneer keeper Jessica Morgan, who subbed in for Haleigh Seman in the 71st minute.  Kenadee Burgoyne would strike for her second goal of the night in the 88th minute to bring the Cardinals within one, but the score would remain 3-2 as the final horn sounded.

The Pioneers outshot the Cardinals 17-14. Malone put 11 of the 17 shots on goal and showed great efficiency in getting good looks at the net.
 
In net, Haleigh Seman made three saves and one for Jessica Morgan. Morgan picked up the victory and moves to 1-0 on the season.
 
Danielle Lung took five shots, and Payton Beech and Keeley Malley recorded three shots each.
 
Amanda Kinsey, Natalie Martorana and Allison Schmeltzer were credited with assists on Pioneer goals.
 
Malone will make a repeat trip to West Virginia to face West Liberty University on Friday, September 13 at 7 pm.