Coach Regan enters his 25th season in charge of the Cardinal Soccer Program. This year should be no different than years past as Regan expects the Cardinals to be in the hunt for the Conference title once again.

Head Coach Jim Regan welcomes 7 returning starters from last year’s team that lost in the WVIAC tournament semi-final and posted a 9-7-3 overall record.

“We’ve got a talented group of returning players with a desire for success,” Regan stated. “The Senior players have set a goal of returning the WVIAC championship to Wheeling.”

The Cardinal defense was one of the toughest in the WVIAC last fall, allowing only 23 goals. Three starters return from that stellar unit.

Back in goal for the Cardinals is Senior Brandon Regan (Wheeling, WV/Linsly). Regan led the WVIAC in goals against average last year with a 1.18 GAA and 4 shutouts. Sophomore Shane Young (Salem, OH/West Branch), another returning letter winner, will provide cover for Regan in goal, while Freshmen Elliot Smith (Charleston, WV/Charleston Cath.) and Mark Sappington (Morgantown, WV/University) will also battle for playing time.

The backline will be anchored by Juniors Hans Moses (Philadelphia, PA/Roman Catholic) and Tony Trabert (Wheeling, WV/Wheeling Park) and sophomore Eric Steele (Parkersburg, WV/Parkersburg). Sophomore Jason Smith (Huntington, WV/Huntington) and a group of newcomers Gary Newson (Bracknell, UK), Adam Pharo (Bromley, UK), Alex Hilton (Wheeling, WV/ Wheeling Central), and Stephen Hawthorne (Glasgow, Scotland) will all make serious challenges for starting positions in the back.

The midfield is where the Cardinals should be the strongest as they return all four starters from last year’s team. Leading the returnees is Senior Scott Sinick (Brimfield, OH/Field) who was 2nd team all-WVIAC last year. Senior forward Kyle Regan (Wheeling, WV/Wheeling Park), a 1st team all-WVIAC selection last year, will switch to midfield this year. Senior Jared Hooks (Baden, PA/Ambridge) will provide speed on one flank while Junior Justin Clark (Wheeling, WV/Wheeling Park) will parole the other flank.

“We have plenty of depth at midfield this season,” Regan said. Also fighting for time at the various midfield positions are Senior Justin Harmer (Hermitage, PA/Hickory), Juniors David Martin(Greensburg, PA/Hempfield Area), and Jon Arlet (Erie, PA/McDowell). Sophomore T.J O’Brien (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park), Freshmen Luke Gill (Richmond, VA/Benedictine) and Scott Sabatasso (Pittsburgh, PA/South Park) will also challenge for spots this year.

The Cardinal attack will be lead by Senior Kerdyn Moe (Arouca, Trinidad/Fatima) and Sophomore Marjan Moro (Pittsburgh, PA/Northgate), while Juniors Bryan Nesbitt (Ambridge, PA/Ambridge) and Shawn Dunn (East Liverpool, OH/ East Liverpool) will be expected to contribute in the scoring department this season. They will face challenge from Freshmen Nic Balzer (Pittsburgh, PA/Seton La Salle) and Doug Porter (Bushkill, PA/East Strousburg).

Wheeling Jesuit faces another rugged schedule in 2007. The Cradinals have an early test as they travel to North Carolina over the Labor Day weekend to face Regionally ranked Mars Hill College and Catawba College. The WVIAC seems to be wide open with traditional rivals West Virginia Wesleyan selected as preseason favorites. The Cardinals will also face nationally ranked Lenoir Rhyne College and last year’s conference champions Salem International University.