Wheeling, W. Va. – In February, Jaclyn Ketter became the new Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Wheeling University. She’s been busy recruiting players for the upcoming season. Exciting plans are in place as the team has announced its 2026 schedule while aiming to return to the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament for the first time since 2024.
Last season, the Cardinals had a mix of young talent and experienced leaders. They faced tough challenges right away, losing close matches to Florida Southern (1-0) and Lourdes University (3-1). Their MEC journey started with a loss, but they soon bounced back by defeating West Liberty, allowing them to even their record at 2-3-2 through seven games. They needed just three wins in their last eight ME games to secure a tournament spot, but the path was not easy.
The Cardinals faced ups and downs throughout the season, including a draw with Charleston and losses to Glenville State and West Virginia State. They ignited their offense with a spectacular 10-0 victory over Salem. But, despite strong defensive performances, they struggled to find the net in the following games and wound up with a record of 3-11-4 overall and 1-9-4 in MEC play.
Looking ahead, the 2026 season kicks off on August 27 with a road game against Walsh in North Canton, Ohio. This marks the beginning of a tough schedule, with multiple non-conference matches. The Cardinals will later host Frostburg State on September 6, followed by a fierce rivalry match against West Liberty on September 13.
The schedule features several key matchups that could be pivotal for the Cardinals. They will play Fairmont State and Concord at home, while also handling road games against Davis & Elkins and West Virginia State. The end of September sees a mix of home and away games, but October brings a home stretch that features a contest against Charleston on October 4.
With the bulk of their early games at home, this might play to their advantage. They plan to celebrate their seniors on October 25 before wrapping up the season with the final showdown against West Liberty on October 28.
As the Cardinals gear up for this season, they’re focused on improving and making a mark in the MEC. The renewed energy under Coach Ketter promises to bring a fresh outlook and added excitement for fans and players alike.
For more details on the team’s upcoming matches, you can check out the official Wheeling University Athletics page.
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