WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — The West Liberty University men's soccer team closed its 2026 season Wednesday evening, battling Wheeling University to a 1-1 draw at the West Family Athletic Complex.
The Hilltoppers finished the season 6-6-4 overall and 4-6-3 in Mountain East Conference play, while Wheeling ended its campaign at 6-8-2 overall and 4-7-2 in the MEC.
After a scoreless first half, West Liberty broke through early in the second half when
Tresz McLeod scored in the 52nd minute to give the Hilltoppers a 1-0 advantage. Wheeling answered late, with Javier Ramos finding the net in the 81st minute off an assist from Elie Simon to even the score.
West Liberty had opportunities to regain the lead in the closing minutes, recording five shots and a corner kick after the equalizer, but neither side found a game-winner.
The Hilltoppers finished with 13 shots to Wheeling's 14, while the Cardinals held a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal. West Liberty goalkeeper
Shai'ya Fitzgerald played all 90 minutes and made two saves.
West Liberty generated several promising opportunities in the opening half but could not find the breakthrough. The Hilltoppers applied sustained pressure midway through the period, earning four corner kicks between the 21st and 25th minutes and recording shots from
Jasper Newton,
Wilson Hanna and
Leyton Collier.
Fitzgerald kept Wheeling off the scoreboard with a save on Elie Simon's attempt in the 15th minute. West Liberty also tested Cardinals goalkeeper Alberto Madail late in the half, but
Zachary Jordan's shot in the 43rd minute was turned away, sending the teams into halftime scoreless.
McLeod finally put the Hilltoppers in front at 51:59, finishing his only shot of the match for an unassisted goal and a two-point performance.
West Liberty maintained its advantage through much of the second half despite sustained pressure from the Cardinals. The Hilltoppers weathered several Wheeling attacking sequences before Ramos equalized at 80:07.
The Hilltoppers pushed forward in the final minutes, looking for one last goal to end the season with a victory, but the match finished in a 1-1 draw.
McLeod led West Liberty's scoring with his goal, while Collier paced the Hilltoppers with three shots. Fitzgerald finished with two saves in goal.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at
westliberty.edu.
