After Double Overtime, QU Comes Up Short On PKs

SHOT DOWN IN PK SHOOTOUT...

On Sunday, October 28th our QU Hawks played a terrific soccer match with the Rockhurst Hawks. The two teams battled, and I mean BATTLED, through the regular 90 minute game plus another 20 minutes of "SUDDEN VICTORY"overtime... and still the game was knotted at 0-0. The game surely wasn't one of those ho-hum scoreless affairs as both teams had several very good chances to score. Why didn't they? Both goal keepers made great saves. A couple balls got cleared off the line by field players backing up the keeper. And at least one post took a hit to prevent a score. So there was a lot of action around the goal mouth. However, the real action took place all over the field with: players racing to be first to those 50-50 balls rolling free; banging into each other as they dueled for supremacy of the air; dishing out, and also withstanding the many crunching tackles laid on...and all the while showing great dribbling and passing combinations to set up the scoring chances. Sunday's game was a real contest, not one for the faint of heart for sure. Both teams should be commended for their all out commitment to win. When the 20 minute "SUDDEN VICTORY" overtime failed to produce a winner the game was over and each team was credited with a tie. Because one of the two teams had to advance on to the semi-finals of this upcoming weekend's GLVC Tournament a PK Shootout was held to determine which team would move forward. Rockhurst won the Shootout scoring 5 PK's to QU's 3 thus allowing them to move on in the Tournament with a record of 11-5-3, while bringing to an end QU's fine season with a 12-4-3 mark. All QU fans should be proud of this 2007 version of the Soccer Hawks. Theyplayed very committed soccer. They exhibited the courage and "heart" to come from behind on several occasions to either pull out a win, or at least a tie. They showed flair throughout the season by scoring some sensational goals. They truly represented the University, its students and alumni, their parents and fans very well. And what's really exciting about this 2007 team is that it is so young, with only two players closing out their collegiate career. A great nucleus returns for next season. With our current players gaining another year of maturity, more physical strength, and an even greater cohesiveness, the addition of a few more quality recruits should put the team in position to really have a breakout year in 2008. Yes, IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BE A HAWK... AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Good Weekend Earns Soccer Hawks Home Field Play-Off Match

HAWKS SECURE #4 SPOT IN GLVC

By tying Indy on Friday 2-2, and defeating St. Joe on Sunday 2-0, the Hawks earned the #4 Seed in the GLVC Conference Tournament and a home match with #5 seed Rockhurst this coming Sunday, October 28 at 2:30 PM. This QU-RU match will follow our Lady Hawk match with the Rockhurst Women that starts at Noon. Looks to be a BIG soccer day this Sunday in Quincy. Hope many of you can make the game.

On Friday (10/19) the Hawks got off to a really good start in their match with the University of Indianapolis, playing well throughout the opening half. At the 33rd minute mark senior, Co-Captain Brad Niemann raced down the left sideline and whipped a wicked on-the-run cross that sailed beyond the far post to be met by Freshman Corey Eatherton who was racing in from his right wing position with a full volley blast while he was about 3 feet off the ground. What a cross! What a shot!

The second half didn't start well for the Hawks as they seemed "out of sync" right from the get-go allowing Indy to take over the match and score two goals putting the Hawks behind late in the game. Even though two goals got past him, sophomore goalie Kyle Dillman played one of his best matches stopping at least three breakaway shots and snagging many dangerous crosses, keeping the Hawks in the game.

Just when it looked like defeat was staring them in the face the Hawks rallied late to start putting pressure on the Indy net that resulted with freshman Grant Ellison banging in the rebound of a hard Brad Niemann shot for the tying goal with just 45 seconds remaining in the game. The Hawks then battled Indy through two 10-minute overtime periods that saw each team have chances to secure the game winner which neither did thanks to good goal keeping from each team and a special thanks to Sophomore defender Scott Greubel who cleared one off the line late in OT to save the day for QU.

Sunday's game with St. Joe was played in very, very windy conditions. There was about a 30-40 mile per hour wind coming straight down the field that really made it tough to move the ball when it was coming into your face, which it was for the Hawks the whole first half. Pretty solid defending, good goal keeping, and a little luck (2 St. Joe shots pinged off the post) kept the Hawks in the game 0-0 at half.

With the wind at their backs to start the second half the Hawks came out strong and earned a PK shot after just 2 minutes of play. Unfortunately, the PK attempt banged off the post keeping St. Joe's hopes alive for the time being. However, 20 minutes later, after constantly keeping the ball in St. Joe's defensive end the Hawks got on the board with a great head shot goal from freshman Abe Dirnberger on a very nice cross from freshman Jake Pittroff who maneuvered the ball well down the right side of the field. About 20 minutes later, just before the end of the game Grant Ellison scored on a breakaway to "ice" the game and send the Hawks home with the #4 seed in the GLVC.

Everything that the Hawks have accomplished so far has come from a team effort. Many guys are getting playing time. Our scoring is well spread out among several players. However, there are 5 field players, who along with our goalie Kyle Dillman, play every minute of every game. Our defenders, sophomore Scott Greubel and juniors: (Co-Captain) Bane Isailovic, Kyle Koening, Steve Miller, and center midfielder Brad Niemann have carried the lion's share of the load and are to be commended for their playing ability, fitness, and durability.

Just a reminder... Sunday, October 28th, 2:30 PM it's QU vs Rockhurst at North Campus Field. It should be a whale of a game. Come on out and be part of it. As always, to continue quoting former QU Athletic Director, Jim Naumovich, "It's a great day to be a Hawk". It sure is.

FIRE UP, QU!

Hawks Fall to SIU-E 3-0

OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!
Sunday at SIU-E was a bummer. After our "high" following the Truman win... we stumbled in Edwardsville, going down 3-0. There were very few real good "chances" for either team throughout the whole game but the Cougars"took" one late in the first half when they had a wind-aided advantage. Early in the second half the Hawks, now enjoying the wind at their back, had a "chance" similar to the one SIU scored on...but didn't convert it. With about 15 minutes left and the Hawks still trailing 1-0 we pushed a back up into midfield and a midfielder up to forward trying desperately to snatch a tying goal. Unfortunately, with us thin at the back the Cougars seized advantage of two turnovers in our end and hit us with two late counter-attack strikes to put the game out of reach. For the most part of the afternoon the game was closer than the eventual 3-0 score line. We felt bad as a team because we didn't get the win that we really wanted,and also because we didn't come through for the large crowd of parents,friends, and alumni there to support us. We appreciate you being there for us and wish we could have given you something to really cheer about. However, our history with SIU has been one of us being the underdog most ofthe time. Since the inaugural QU-SIU encounter in 1968 the Cougars lead in the series with 26 wins against 17 losses and 7 ties. Prior to yesterday's contest as coaches Ed Huneke (SIU) and Hawk Coach Jack Mackenzie were talking, Coach Huneke mentioned that, 'this game was probably going to be the last one in the QU-SIU series since the Cougars will be moving up to NCAA Division I next fall. Hawk coach, Jack Mackenzie, countered with 'I don't know about that, I think we will meet gain in a GLVC play-off match. Now wouldn't that make for a grand finale?

Coach Mackenzie would like to thank all the soccer alums who were present yesterday. He was pleased so many showed up, and then took the time to stay around afterward and visit. He appreciates your continued interest in the Hawk soccer program. Coach would also like to thank the parents for the great cookout they put on after the SIU match. He knows a lot of the St. Louis area people helped, but he believes that Steve Schaeffer, Don Eatherton, and Les Ellison were the organizers...because they wanted to show Quincyian Terry Bower (who's cooked for practically every Hawk home game for the past couple of years)... that the hospitality could be duplicated down there. These tail-gating and cookout efforts have done a lot to bring the parents of our players into a close-knit "soccer family".

WHAT LIES AHEAD... This weekend is the final round of GLVC regular-season soccer matches. There are several important games. Three teams have already clinched berths in the 8-team GLVC Play-Off (NKU-SIU-Lewis). Five spots are still UP FOR GRABS. People may be speculating about the Parkside-Lewis game on Wednesday, or about the trip NKU and Bellarmine have to take to Rockhurst and Drury. However, the most important games of this whole week are QU at Indy on Friday and QU at St. Joe on Sunday. The simple fact of the matter is: WIN TWO... AND WE'RE IN! With opportunities like this you know... IT'S A GREAT TIME TO BE A HAWK!

It's A Great Day To Be A Hawk!

HAWKS BEAT TRUMAN...BREAK 11-YEAR JINX

Hallelujah! QU 1-Truman 0: an 11-year jinx is over! Jayme Groark's goal with 1:05 remaining in the match lifted a huge monkey off the Hawks' back in securing QU's first win over the Bulldogs since the teams started playing again in 1996. With time running out, Center Back Kyle Koenig raced up from his defensive position and launched a long throw-in into a mass of players in the Truman goal mouth for Groark to slip into the net. Kyle threw it...Jayme knocked it in...but it was a total TEAM victory. The match was a typical QU-TSU battle. Action was fast and furious as two really good teams gave it their all. Prior to last night's victory, the Hawks were 0-10-2 versus Truman (the teams played twice in 1998). Seven of those 10 losses were by one goal. Oh yes, its great to be a Hawk today...any day really.

The Truman game was the last regular season home match for our Captain, Brad Niemann. Brad has been a starter for all four years here, and has been a tremendous asset to the Hawk soccer program. Once again, he put in a full 90 minutes of whirlwind action in the center of midfield. Prior to the match, Brad and his parents were recognized by the University and received the appreciation of the crowd. He will be missed once this season is over, and we hope that doesn't happen anytime soon.

Sunday, October 14 brings another challenge...at SIU-E at 3:30 PM. Over the past six years the Cougars have had our number (with the exception of our great 3-1 win over them in the GLVC semi-final in '05. Oh what a night that was!). We hope that a lot of you come out to support your team this Sunday in Edwardsville. Our Women play at 1 PM and hopefully you may have the time to get out and cheer for them. Women's Coach, Dave Musso, has contacted his parents and alums and asked for their support...plus he's asked them to wear a bright gold (yellow) shirt/sweater/coat so we have a highly visible fan base in the bleachers. How about you parents...alumni...and fans of the Men's team doing the same thing. We'd like to see a "Sea of GOLD" taking up a large portion of the seating area at SIU's Field. GO HAWKS!




Captain Brad Niemann with his parents, Suzie and Rich. Thanks for all you and your family have contributed over the last four years!

Hawks Grab Two Must-Wins for 10-3-1 Record

Hawks Sweep Rolla and UMSL...

This past weekend saw the Hawks come away with two very important GLVC wins, 2-1 over Rolla and 5-2 over UMSL. Both matches were fiercely fought encounters and it took great fighting spirit and determination for our guys to prevail. Both matches were won due to total team effort. That's one of the great qualities of this 2007 Hawk squad. It's not a one- or two-man show. Up to 16-18 players take part in each game and all contribute in one way or another. Opposing teams cannot key in on any one or two players to stop us.

We are currently sitting 4th in the 14-team GLVC table with NKU , SIU-E, and Indianapolis perched ahead of us. We play at SIU-E this Sunday (10/14) and at Indianapolis next Friday (10/19). These are great opportunities for us to move up the table and perhaps land a home field GLVC tourney slot.

However, before those Conference matches come up, this Wednesday (10/10) we have a home game with Truman State University (7:30 PM at North Campus Field) that should be a real dandy. The Hawks and Bulldogs are always involved in rigorous, vigorous matches. This one will be no different and will give our team the opportunity to beat in "In-Region" non-conference opponent and that might prove to be very helpful when it gets around to NCAA Tournament selection time.

In town this past weekend were a few members of QC's 1967 NAIA National Championship team who gathered to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of that magic season. Jim Huneke and his wife Diane came back from California, Jerry Murphy came down from Chicago, Erv Pesek and Gerry Tucker came up from St. Louis, and Tom Baker hauled it all the way from 1302 Oak St. in beautiful Quincy (IL). All enjoyed a delightful dinner on the patio area of the Lakeview Grill on perhaps one of the most pleasant October evenings ever. At half time of our UMSL match the group was recognized by the crowd in attendance and received a well deserved round of applause as Champions, and the Quincy pioneers of soccer that they were. These guys were part of the Hawk 11 who set the scoring record of 120 goals in one season, a feat the will never be duplicated.

In 1967 it was a great time to be a Hawk. Today, in 2007 it's still a great time to be a HAWK.

Quincy College Soccer ...Quincy University Soccer...has been...and still is...one of the BEST THINGS ABOUT QUINCY!




1967 NAIA National Champions: Jack Mackenzie, Jerry Murphy, Irv Pesek, Gerry Tucker, Jim Huneke, Tom Baker. Part of the Hawk 11 that scored 120 goals in one season, "a feat that will never be duplicated".

Players resting at halftime.

Fifth goal...

QU Splits Weekend for Third Time

Parents, Fans, Media, and of course Players...Blog Update ...Friday (9/28) was a real HIGH...followed by a Sunday 9/30 LOW...

Friday (9/28) WOW! What an ending...an overtime 40-yard dash down the left sideline that launched a terrific on-the-run left-footed cross by Abe Dirnberger (at the end line) to the head of a streaking Jack Wedemeier coming in at the far post who put the ball in the back of the net of the "Sudden Victory" game winner. When the ball hit the net the QU bench raced out onto the field to celebrate the badly needed win. Sean Flaherty had earned the Hawks a tie with his 1st half goal coming just one minute after Bellarmine had take a 1-0 lead.

This QU-BU match was a very hard fought battle with the Hawks picking up injuries to two of its defenders. Scott Greubel suffered a head cut in a collision with the BU player while dueling for a headball and had to leave the game in the first half. Bane Isailovic further hurt his injured knee but stayed on to finish the match. Much physical and emotional energy was expended in this tense GLVC match.

Saturday, after traveling by bus from BU to NKU the Hawks (both Men's and Women's Teams) were treated to another GREAT MEAL by alums Terry and Mary Ellen Dunn. Close to 50 of us enjoyed the terrific hospitality of an evening in the Dunn's compound, along with a full meal of salad, meat, potatoes, beans, brownies, pumpkin bars, and cookies. This is about the 5th time Terry and Mary Ellen have welcomed our teams into their home. We certainly appreciate their loyal support.

Sunday (9/30) wasn't our day. We entered into the contest with NKU (ranked 1st in the GLVC and 2nd in the Nation) without the services of Bane Isailovic who's knee wasn't up to it, and with Scott Greubel bravely saying he was "ready to go". Scott played a great first half but wasn't able to continue on for the second half. We battled the NKU Norse but they were just too strong for us and we lost 1-0. However, to be honest it could have been 4-0 if it weren't for several great saves from our goal keeper Kyle Dillman. NKU is a fast and physical team and really knows how to play on its artificial surface. They are undefeated at 12-0.

What lies ahead?

Our Home games on this Friday 10/5 (Rolla) and Sunday 10/7 (UMSL) are very important matches for us. Even though these teams don't have winning records they will be very tough opponents for us as the rivalry between our teams is fierce. Our players will need to be totally focused on playing their best this weekend and we can use all the fan support we can get. We are currently 5 & 3 in the GLVC. We have 5 conference games left. Three are with teams currently below us in the standings (Rolla-UMSL-& St. Joe). These are must win games if we have any post-season hopes. Two are with teams currently ahead of us (SIU-E and Indianapolis). These are games where we will be listed as the underdog going into them. So you see, we have great challenges and even greater opportunities.

It's a GREAT TIME TO BE A HAWK!