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!
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