Wheeling, W.Va..- The University of Charleston Golden Eagles made their 2024 Mountain East Conference bow away to the Wheeling Cardinals this Sunday, September 8th.

 
The Basics:
Location: Bishop Schmitt Stadium
Score: UC 5, WU 0
Records: UC 1-0-1 (1-0-0 MEC), Wheeling 0-1-1 (0-1-0 MEC)
 
How it Happened:
It was a lightning-fast start for the visitors as they were 3-0 up within the first eight minutes. Caio Moraes received the ball from Joao Belmudes in the 6th minute and struck one low from 25 yards into the bottom left corner of the net to give the Golden Eagles the lead. Just 70 seconds later, it was 2-0. Michail Tselios put an inch perfect in-swinging corner onto the head of Tristen Rose who leapt and sent it into the Cardinals goal, leaving the keeper with no chance. Charleston was not finished with their fast start just yet. Stafford Dowling finished off a fantastic team move which included some great play from Tomas Muller and a delicate Caio Moraes assist to make it 3-0 after just 7 minutes and 48 seconds. The Golden Eagles went into half time having had fourteen shots, with six of them on target.

Following an assist in the first half, Belmudes got his own name on the scoresheet twice in the second half. The first was a result of good play from Sam Newell and Jose Suarez Monaco, with the ball finding the feet of Belmudes who nestled the ball into the bottom left corner. Less than 15 minutes later, he had his second with Sam Newell involved in the build up again. This time he found Jack Kay who played a perfectly time ball across the six-yard goal area for Belmudes.

The game finished 5-0 to the Golden Eagles to seal a great start to their Mountain East Conference campaign.

Up Next:
Charleston will next be in action this Wednesday, September 11th in their home opener against Point Park University at the Welch Athletic Complex with kick off scheduled for 7:00pm.