MIDDLETOWN, CT. – Following a trip to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament last November, the Wesleyan University men's soccer team kickstarted the 2025 campaign with a 3-0 shutout of Western New England University on Wednesday evening in the home opener at Jackson Field as Yousuff Saeed '27 was the man of the hour with two goals.

The Cardinals' defensive lineup, the star of last season's quest for success, brushed off the dust and hit the ground running from the opening kickoff. While WNE largely controlled the pace leading into the Cardinals' first goal, the Golden Bears could not squeeze their way through. Head Coach Geoff Wheeler, who welcomed a 15-man freshmen class, anchored his lineup with the likes of Will Geballe '26 and Saeed but allowed his underclassmen to shine in their red and black debut.

With senior goalkeeper Mathis Blanc '26 between the pipes, the Cardinals played out the clock to just past the halfway point of the first 45 before Joshwin Jennings '27 scored the opening goal of the game with the help of Saeed. Attacking the Bears' defense following a goal kick, Saeed gained down the middle while dragging a defender clutched to his jersey. Saeed's initial shot on goal was blocked by Braylon Casinghino but Jennings caught the rebound and the goal was wide open for the taking.

The Cardinals, now oozing with confidence, outshot the Bears 12-5 and entered the half with the one-goal lead. Leading off a free kick as the Bears earned a yellow card warning, the Cardinals took the zone again, landing the ball through the right side. Will Martin '26, from the outside, bolted through to the box, outpacing his man and drilled a shot across on Casinghino. The ball ricocheted off Casinghino's knee, Saeed launching the rebound to the back of the net.

Saeed's final goal in the 74^th minute came as a result of a free kick being awarded to the Cardinals. Saeed's shot sailed over the heads of the Bears' defense and out of reach of Casinghino to the left corner.

Earning the shutout, Blanc finished the game with six saves in goal for the Cardinals. Casinghino finished with six saves on nine shots.

The Cardinals hit the road on Saturday, Sept. 6, when they head north to Babson for a 11 a.m. kickoff.