PITTSBURGH - The Point Park Women's soccer team opened up Mountain East Conference play against the Wheeling Cardinals Sunday afternoon at Highmark Stadium. This marks the second consecutive season in which the Pioneers have opened MEC play against Wheeling. The Pioneers secured a 2-0 victory, marking the first win under Head Coach Colin Baker.

The first half was controlled by Wheeling in the shots category, as they outshot Point Park 6-2 and led 1-0 in corner kicks. However, it was an even split of 2-2 in shots on goal, with Maria Gomez and Cara Spry each recording their first shots on goal of the season in the first half.

Point Park came out hot to start the second half, scoring right away at the 47:40 mark as Paula Sole netted her first goal of the season against Wheeling goaltender Sam Faulkner. The goal was assisted by Sterre Kuijper, who now has a point in two of the three games this season, with her assist marking her first of the season.

The Pioneers outshot Wheeling 4-0 within the first 17 minutes of the second half, with two shots coming on goal. 

At the 64:48 mark, Sole and Kuijper connected for another goal, but this time Kuijper scored and Sole had the assist. Kuijper's three-point game marks a new career high for most points in a single game for her as a Pioneer. It marked the second career game for Sole with at least one goal and one assist; the last time she did that was as a freshman in 2023.

Point Park is now 1-1-1 on the season after a 2-0 win over Wheeling. The shutout marks their first shutout victory over an MEC opponent since joining the conference. Point Park is now 1-1-1 against Wheeling since last year.

Frederieke Rijlaarsdam recorded her first full 90-minute shutout as a Pioneer with three saves. 

In the matchup, Wheeling had the advantage in total shots at 12-8, but Point Park held the edge in shots on goal at 5-4.

Point Park will look to win consecutive games on Wednesday at 12:30 PM against Salem in Salem, West Virginia. Point Park went 2-0 against Salem last year, outscoring them 5-0.