On Friday 9/25 the Soccer Hawks lost 2-1 to UMSL in St. Louis with the winning goal coming with just 5 minutes left in the match. Although the Hawks totally dominated the second half, on one of UMSL’s few possessions in the Hawk defensive third, their scorer found an opening about 25 yards out an hit a “pill” into the upper 90 degree angle of the post. Hawk keeper Kyle Dillman had no chance for a save on the well placed shot. The Hawks valiantly tried to equalize in the remaining 5 minutes but were unable to find the net on several shots.
The Hawks put themselves in a hole in this match by playing a very lack luster first half. During the opening stanza UMSL consistently looked to be the “hungrier” team as they hustled about causing Hawk defenders all kinds of trouble. At about the 15 minute mark the Hawks were called for their 5th PK of the young season as keeper Dillman’s dive across an UMSL attacker soloing in on goal after eluding the Hawk back line tripped up the dribbler challenging the goal. Dillman stepped up big time and stopped the ensuing PK shot keeping the score ant 0-0 at that point. However, UMSL kept on attacking at will and finally got on the scoreboard at the 30 minute mark sending the game into halftime 1-0 in their favor, and holding a 8-4 shot advantage over the Hawks..
The Hawks came out re-energized in the second half and totally changed the game around became the more dominant team by pressuring the UMSL team all over the field and winning possession of all the 50-50 balls. For the second half the Hawks out shot UMSL 12-6 and drew even with them at the 58 minute mark when freshman Zach Venvertloh (Quincy Senior HS) notched his first goal of the season by picking up a loose ball and driving into the UMSL PA going from his right to left and then sliced a ball back to his left to slip past the out reached arms of the UMSL keeper. At this point it looked like the Hawks we destined to put UMSL away but no more shots found net…until UMSL’s did totally against the second half run of play.
On Sunday9/27 the Hawks were in Evansville (IN) for a match with the University of Southern Indiana. For this match the Hawks came out flying and put constant pressure on USI from the opening kick-off. Throughout the first half the Hawks peppered the USI goal (16 shots to USI’s 7) but were unable to finish. The goals were there for the taking but the shots never found net. Actually USI almost scored first when with the Hawks having a 13-3 shot advantage USI’s 4th shot from about 30 yards out hit the inside of the round goal post and screamed across the whole goal mouth and out the other side. Throughout the whole second half the Hawks still had the better of possession and more shots but were unable to score. Regulation time ended 0-0 and the game went into overtime. Two minutes into the first OT period Jack Wedemeier flicked on a ball over the head of the two USI central defenders and Corey Eatherton slipped past them to pick up the ball, elude the keeper and slot home the game winner putting a fitting end to 92 minutes of great effort by the team to salvage a split of the weekend GLVC matches.
Currently, the Hawks are 5-4-1 overall and 4-2 in the GLVC where they are in a three way tie for third with Rockhurst (who they beat earlier 2-1) and Bellarmine (who they play in Quincy this Sunday 10/4 at 2:30 PM. Prior to the Bellarmine match the Hawks take on Kentucky Wesleyan on Friday 10/2 at 7:30 PM. The Hawks need to be sharp this weekend and notch two victories to stay in contention for a “top four” finish to the regular GLVC Conference season. Even though its only midseason the team knows that each and every match from now on has play-off implications.
If you’re in the neighborhood on QU’s North Campus Field this weekend come on out and support the Hawks. Give’em some hometown home team support to encourage their efforts.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
PERFECT WEEKEND…
The weekend of 9/18 through 9/20/09 was a perfect one for the 2009 Soccer Hawks and for the Hawk NAIA Soccer Championship teams of 1977-1978-1979-1980-1981…and the weather was beautiful too.
The current Soccer Hawks kicked off the weekend with a strong 2-0 win over Missouri S & T who came into “Hawk Country” rated 8th in the latest Regional Poll sponsored by the NSCAA. Jake Pittroff (junior, from St. Louis Oakville HS) notched the first Hawk tally midway through the first half with a blast from 25 yards out. At the 60th minute mark Jayme Groark (senior, from St. Louis CBC HS) hit a terrific bending ball from at least 25 yards out and off to the right side. S & T’s goal keeper had no chance on either shot. Though the offense scored two great goals the defense did it’s part too with GK Kyle Dillman (senior ,Madison WI LaFollette HS) making a couple of tremendous diving saves and the entire Hawk defense coming together to block four rapid fire shots by the Miners from inside 12 yards on one hectic sequence.
On Saturday night players from the QU NAIA National Championship teams of 1977-81 gathered for a dinner of reminiscence about those seasons that saw their group become the first and only NAIA or NCAA Division I or II team to ever win FIVE CONSECUTIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS in Men’s Collegiate Soccer. After the dinner the Captains of those squads spoke of some of their memories and Coach Jack Mackenzie summed up those championship experiences and presented all squad members a souvenir color poster of the five teams.
On Sunday afternoon the Hawks played new GLVC Member Maryville University and defeated them 5-0. Once again Jake Pittroff opened the Hawk scoring account with a 21st minute goal off an assist by Jayme Groark. Ten minutes later Jack Wedemeier (junior, Cape Girardeau Notre Dame HS) notched a goal off an assist from Jake Pittroff for a 2-0 Hawk half-time lead. At the 53rd minute Pittroff kicked in his second goal of the game after receiving a pass from Wedemeier. Corey Eatherton (junior, Fenton MO Summit HS) scored at the 61st minute off a pass from Greg Schaeffer (junior, St. Louis Oakville HS) by outrunning a Maryville defender to the ball even though that defender had at least a five yard lead when the race for the ball began. Wedemeier knocked in the last goal of the match at the 70th minute as he followed up a blast from Jeff Vaninger (sophomore, St. Louis CBC HS) that was blocked by Maryville’s keeper and then kneed up against the crossbar by Nick Lantz (sophomore, Quincy Senior HS) only to fall into Jack’s path for him to slot home.
The Hawks currently stand at 4-3-1 overall and 3-1-0 in the GLVC. Their next action will be Friday night 9/25 at UMSL (St. Louis) on the Don Dallas Field at 7:30 PM. On Sunday they are in Evansville IN to play the University of Southern Indiana at 2:30 PM. If you get a chance come out and support the team.
IT’S ALWAYS GREAT TO BE A QU HAWK FAN.
The current Soccer Hawks kicked off the weekend with a strong 2-0 win over Missouri S & T who came into “Hawk Country” rated 8th in the latest Regional Poll sponsored by the NSCAA. Jake Pittroff (junior, from St. Louis Oakville HS) notched the first Hawk tally midway through the first half with a blast from 25 yards out. At the 60th minute mark Jayme Groark (senior, from St. Louis CBC HS) hit a terrific bending ball from at least 25 yards out and off to the right side. S & T’s goal keeper had no chance on either shot. Though the offense scored two great goals the defense did it’s part too with GK Kyle Dillman (senior ,Madison WI LaFollette HS) making a couple of tremendous diving saves and the entire Hawk defense coming together to block four rapid fire shots by the Miners from inside 12 yards on one hectic sequence.
On Saturday night players from the QU NAIA National Championship teams of 1977-81 gathered for a dinner of reminiscence about those seasons that saw their group become the first and only NAIA or NCAA Division I or II team to ever win FIVE CONSECUTIVE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS in Men’s Collegiate Soccer. After the dinner the Captains of those squads spoke of some of their memories and Coach Jack Mackenzie summed up those championship experiences and presented all squad members a souvenir color poster of the five teams.
On Sunday afternoon the Hawks played new GLVC Member Maryville University and defeated them 5-0. Once again Jake Pittroff opened the Hawk scoring account with a 21st minute goal off an assist by Jayme Groark. Ten minutes later Jack Wedemeier (junior, Cape Girardeau Notre Dame HS) notched a goal off an assist from Jake Pittroff for a 2-0 Hawk half-time lead. At the 53rd minute Pittroff kicked in his second goal of the game after receiving a pass from Wedemeier. Corey Eatherton (junior, Fenton MO Summit HS) scored at the 61st minute off a pass from Greg Schaeffer (junior, St. Louis Oakville HS) by outrunning a Maryville defender to the ball even though that defender had at least a five yard lead when the race for the ball began. Wedemeier knocked in the last goal of the match at the 70th minute as he followed up a blast from Jeff Vaninger (sophomore, St. Louis CBC HS) that was blocked by Maryville’s keeper and then kneed up against the crossbar by Nick Lantz (sophomore, Quincy Senior HS) only to fall into Jack’s path for him to slot home.
The Hawks currently stand at 4-3-1 overall and 3-1-0 in the GLVC. Their next action will be Friday night 9/25 at UMSL (St. Louis) on the Don Dallas Field at 7:30 PM. On Sunday they are in Evansville IN to play the University of Southern Indiana at 2:30 PM. If you get a chance come out and support the team.
IT’S ALWAYS GREAT TO BE A QU HAWK FAN.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
BIZZARE GAME!
You won’t believe this. Yesterday the Soccer Hawks played a game and scored 6 goals…BUT DID NOT WIN. Yesterday the Soccer Hawks played a game and gave up 6 goals…BUT DID NOT LOSE! Yesterday the Soccer Hawks tied Hannibal-LaGrange 6-6 in one of the most bizarre soccer matches ever. The briefest summary of the match is that both teams scored a couple of incredible goals at which one can only applaud the goal scorers…and each team was guilty of horrible defending on numerous occasions. For the Hawks, Jack Wedemeier (Cape Notre Dame) had two first half goals (one extremely well taken) and yet QU was down 3-2 at the half time interval. In the second half Jake Pittroff (St. Louis Oakville HS), hustling all over the field, had FOUR vital scores , the last in the 84th minute to knot the game at 6-6.
In the first half, other than Wedemeier’s two goals the rest of the Hawk play was quite disappointing. In the second half the Hawks finally started putting more effort into their play and started accomplishing more but just when it seemed they had it all together a blunder would be made and they found themselves behind once again. To their credit they did not cave in and just kept battling even though the extra 20 minutes of over time that was played. Besides hurting from this tied match, the Hawks also incurred another hurt when Nate Heryford (St. Charles MO, Francis Howell HS) suffered a fracture in his lower left arm near the wrist area. It is hoped he can get that a cast and padding and be able to play again.
Next up for the Hawks are two very important home GLVC matches this weekend. On Friday night at 7:30 PM they take on the Miners of Missouri S & T at North Campus Field, and then come back on Sunday at 2:30 PM to face off with Maryville University.
GO HAWKS…
In the first half, other than Wedemeier’s two goals the rest of the Hawk play was quite disappointing. In the second half the Hawks finally started putting more effort into their play and started accomplishing more but just when it seemed they had it all together a blunder would be made and they found themselves behind once again. To their credit they did not cave in and just kept battling even though the extra 20 minutes of over time that was played. Besides hurting from this tied match, the Hawks also incurred another hurt when Nate Heryford (St. Charles MO, Francis Howell HS) suffered a fracture in his lower left arm near the wrist area. It is hoped he can get that a cast and padding and be able to play again.
Next up for the Hawks are two very important home GLVC matches this weekend. On Friday night at 7:30 PM they take on the Miners of Missouri S & T at North Campus Field, and then come back on Sunday at 2:30 PM to face off with Maryville University.
GO HAWKS…
Monday, September 14, 2009
SOCCER HAWKS SPLIT GLVC MATCHES…
On Friday, September 11 the Soccer Hawks won a 2-1 thriller over rival Rockhurst in the second Sudden Death overtime period. Jack Wedemeier (junior from Cape Girardeau MO Notre Dame HS) scored the game winner racing in from the left wing to redirect a nifty centering pass from Ryan Hirtz (junior from St. Dominic HS, O’Fallon MO) who had just pulled a great move in the right corner to elude two defenders. The goal was Wedemeier’s second of the night and his third of the young season. Jack had opened the scoring with a great head shot with just 50 seconds remaining in the first half. Jack’s header was set up by a terrific 50 yard cross field pass from Tyler Easley (sophomore from Summit HS, Fenton MO) who picked up a ball cleared out of the Rockhurst penalty area following a Hawk corner kick attempt. Easley hit a long arching ball to the outside of the far post and Jack nodded in from about 12 yards away. Rockhurst’s goal came in the 60t6h minute on a penalty kick knotting the score at one apiece until the Hirtz-Wedemeier heroics. Rockhurst had pressured the QU back line all night but they, and goal keeper Kyle Dillman (senior from La Follette HS, Madison WI) held strong throughout the contest.
On Saturday, September 12, the Soccer Hawks traveled to Springfield MO for a Sunday match with “top of the conference” Drury University as the undefeated host team. A very fine Drury team defeated the Hawks 2-0 but it seemed obvious that the physical fatigue and emotional stress from the Friday night win over Rockhurst had also taken the spark out of QU’s step as they couldn’t keep up with the Drury Panther’s who had won fairly easily 5-0 playing at home on the previous Friday on their artificial turf field. For the second match in a row and 3rd game in the first 5 a Hawk defender was whistled for a first half foul in the PA and the resulting PK was drilled home leaving Hawk keeper Kyle Dillman no chance at a save. About midway through the second half another Hawk defender was ‘whistled up” for a foul just outside the Penalty Area and the Drury player who nail the first half penalty kick chipped this foul kick re-start over the Hawk defending wall and into the upper 90 degree angle of the goal. This was the second time this year that this Drury goal scored had knocked in both a PK and a shot over the wall in the same game. (The Drury match was the second played this year on an artificial surface and both have proved bothersome to the Hawks who have not adapted to it so well. Two more important away games come up in early October on similar artificial surfaces and it is hoped that the QU players can adapt a bit better in those.) As of today the Hawks are 2-3 -0 overall and 1-1 in GLVC action.
Beginning Wednesday 9/16 the Hawks face three matches within 5 days. On Wednesday the Hawks go over to Hannibal MO to face NAIA non-league Hannibal-LaGrange College in a 4 PM match. Then on Friday 9/18 (7:30 PM kickoff) the hawks are at home to GLVC foe Missouri S & T who are currently 2-0-1 in Conference play, and then on Sunday 9/20 (2:30 PM kickoff) close out the week at home to Maryville currently 0-3 in GLVC play. This is also the weekend for the reunion of the 1977-81 NAIA National Championship teams who will be introduced at halftime on both Friday and Sunday and who will be honored with a dinner in the QU Café Saturday night 9/19.
For the record, the Hawks are pretty banged up right now. Perhaps not mentioned previously was the loss of last season’s leading goal scorer Grant Ellison (junior from St. Dominic HS O’Fallon MO) in the first half of the second game this season to three broken bones in his foot due to a very hard tackle he received. Grant was being counted on for anywhere between 12 and 15 goals this campaign but now is lost for the season. Andy Kling (senior defender from DeSmet HS St. Louis MO) has yet to play a game so far due to hamstring and hip injuries. Numerous other players are nursing various ankle and leg “knocks” keeping them playing in some degree of pain and discomfort. Perhaps this is a good time to rehash the old slogan, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”.
GO HAWKS…a lot of people care about you and are pulling for you. Like Liverpool…You’ll never walk alone!
On Saturday, September 12, the Soccer Hawks traveled to Springfield MO for a Sunday match with “top of the conference” Drury University as the undefeated host team. A very fine Drury team defeated the Hawks 2-0 but it seemed obvious that the physical fatigue and emotional stress from the Friday night win over Rockhurst had also taken the spark out of QU’s step as they couldn’t keep up with the Drury Panther’s who had won fairly easily 5-0 playing at home on the previous Friday on their artificial turf field. For the second match in a row and 3rd game in the first 5 a Hawk defender was whistled for a first half foul in the PA and the resulting PK was drilled home leaving Hawk keeper Kyle Dillman no chance at a save. About midway through the second half another Hawk defender was ‘whistled up” for a foul just outside the Penalty Area and the Drury player who nail the first half penalty kick chipped this foul kick re-start over the Hawk defending wall and into the upper 90 degree angle of the goal. This was the second time this year that this Drury goal scored had knocked in both a PK and a shot over the wall in the same game. (The Drury match was the second played this year on an artificial surface and both have proved bothersome to the Hawks who have not adapted to it so well. Two more important away games come up in early October on similar artificial surfaces and it is hoped that the QU players can adapt a bit better in those.) As of today the Hawks are 2-3 -0 overall and 1-1 in GLVC action.
Beginning Wednesday 9/16 the Hawks face three matches within 5 days. On Wednesday the Hawks go over to Hannibal MO to face NAIA non-league Hannibal-LaGrange College in a 4 PM match. Then on Friday 9/18 (7:30 PM kickoff) the hawks are at home to GLVC foe Missouri S & T who are currently 2-0-1 in Conference play, and then on Sunday 9/20 (2:30 PM kickoff) close out the week at home to Maryville currently 0-3 in GLVC play. This is also the weekend for the reunion of the 1977-81 NAIA National Championship teams who will be introduced at halftime on both Friday and Sunday and who will be honored with a dinner in the QU Café Saturday night 9/19.
For the record, the Hawks are pretty banged up right now. Perhaps not mentioned previously was the loss of last season’s leading goal scorer Grant Ellison (junior from St. Dominic HS O’Fallon MO) in the first half of the second game this season to three broken bones in his foot due to a very hard tackle he received. Grant was being counted on for anywhere between 12 and 15 goals this campaign but now is lost for the season. Andy Kling (senior defender from DeSmet HS St. Louis MO) has yet to play a game so far due to hamstring and hip injuries. Numerous other players are nursing various ankle and leg “knocks” keeping them playing in some degree of pain and discomfort. Perhaps this is a good time to rehash the old slogan, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”.
GO HAWKS…a lot of people care about you and are pulling for you. Like Liverpool…You’ll never walk alone!
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Update on the 2009 Fall Season
Sorry for not posting QU Soccer Blog Updates recently. I hit the wrong computer key at the wrong time and BAM! I lost my blast e-mail file. If World War III could be started by MY computer errors it would have occurred 10 years or so ago. I still don’t know if I have all my contacts re-entered but I’ve got to start getting Hawk Soccer information out to those I think may be interested. Here’s a quick review of the last month.
On 8/22 the HAWKS played a very good Alumni team. The score at half was 0-0. In the second half the youth and conditioning of the current HAWKS paid off with a 5 -1 win. The Alumni lone goal was scored by Mark Thomas, who had a long-time professional career after leaving QU who was deceivingly the oldest player on the field.
On 8/26 the HAWKS defeated Culver Stockton College 2-0 in an exhibition match. The HAWKS had the better of the play throughout the match and the Wildcats defended well in numbers.
The ’09 season kicked –off for real on 9/1 with a trip to McKendree University. The HAWKS began the game well forcing most of the action in the first 20 minutes getting off several shots and earning several corners. However, not getting a goal during that surge allowed McKendree to get back into the game and eventually start domination. They were rewarded with a PK midway during the first half and converted it for a 1-0 half-time lead. About midway through the second half McKendree was awarded a free kick from outside the penalty area and their shooter scored off a very nice shot making the game 2-0 at that point. In the last 15 minutes of the game the HAWKS put a lot of pressure on the opponent but could not manage a score.
On 9/5 the HAWKS began Soccer Bowl XVI with a 2-0 win over a good Lindenwood University team. The match was scoreless at half-time with perhaps Lindenwood having a little better of the possession during that period. The HAWKS started the second half strong and scored a very nice goal within 45 seconds. Jayme Groark fed the ball to Jack Wedemeier who did a very good job of finishing off the great pass Jayme gave him. Ten minutes later the HAWKS scored again on a nice combination play with Jake Pittroff feeding Jack Wedemeier and Jack very unselfishly squaring the ball across the goal for an unmarked Corey Eatherton to blast home. The rest of the match was a battle between the two penalty areas and the HAWKS stood strong defensively to notch the 2-0 victory.
On 9/6 the HAWKS faced Truman State University for the Championship of Soccer Bowl XVI. The HAWKS were primed and ready to go right from the start and scored a goal within 1:06 of kick-off. Jake Pittroff played the ball across the goal to a waiting Corey Eatherton who place it in the net. Great start! As the game wore on Truman worked themselves back into the match and midway through the half scored on a very nice long range shot from outside the PA, evening up the score at 1-1 at half-time. Twenty minutes into the second half Truman scored again off a very quick re-start just outside the HAWKS 18 yard line. As the HAWKS were forming their defensive wall a crafty Truman player took a chance on a quick shot and nailed it. The HAWKS were caught by surprise as they were expecting the referee to blow a second whistle to restart the play but he didn’t and the goal stood. Over the last 20 minutes of the match the HAWKS threw everything but the “KITCHEN SINK” at the Truman Bulldogs but couldn’t get the equalizing goal. During this time of pressuring the HAWKS had one ball going IN…but a Truman defender raced back behind the keeper and used a heroic slide to nudge the ball just outside the post…AND…missed an open net from the 6 yard line…and had a header bang off the crossbar. A valiant effort was made to save the game but it just didn’t work out for the HAWKS on this occasion.
This coming weekend the HAWKS open GLVC Play with a home match Friday night 9/11 against Rockhurst at 7:30 PM, and then travel to Springfield MO for a Sunday match with Drury University at 2:30 PM.
Updates on these will be sent out next week.
GO HAWKS…
On 8/22 the HAWKS played a very good Alumni team. The score at half was 0-0. In the second half the youth and conditioning of the current HAWKS paid off with a 5 -1 win. The Alumni lone goal was scored by Mark Thomas, who had a long-time professional career after leaving QU who was deceivingly the oldest player on the field.
On 8/26 the HAWKS defeated Culver Stockton College 2-0 in an exhibition match. The HAWKS had the better of the play throughout the match and the Wildcats defended well in numbers.
The ’09 season kicked –off for real on 9/1 with a trip to McKendree University. The HAWKS began the game well forcing most of the action in the first 20 minutes getting off several shots and earning several corners. However, not getting a goal during that surge allowed McKendree to get back into the game and eventually start domination. They were rewarded with a PK midway during the first half and converted it for a 1-0 half-time lead. About midway through the second half McKendree was awarded a free kick from outside the penalty area and their shooter scored off a very nice shot making the game 2-0 at that point. In the last 15 minutes of the game the HAWKS put a lot of pressure on the opponent but could not manage a score.
On 9/5 the HAWKS began Soccer Bowl XVI with a 2-0 win over a good Lindenwood University team. The match was scoreless at half-time with perhaps Lindenwood having a little better of the possession during that period. The HAWKS started the second half strong and scored a very nice goal within 45 seconds. Jayme Groark fed the ball to Jack Wedemeier who did a very good job of finishing off the great pass Jayme gave him. Ten minutes later the HAWKS scored again on a nice combination play with Jake Pittroff feeding Jack Wedemeier and Jack very unselfishly squaring the ball across the goal for an unmarked Corey Eatherton to blast home. The rest of the match was a battle between the two penalty areas and the HAWKS stood strong defensively to notch the 2-0 victory.
On 9/6 the HAWKS faced Truman State University for the Championship of Soccer Bowl XVI. The HAWKS were primed and ready to go right from the start and scored a goal within 1:06 of kick-off. Jake Pittroff played the ball across the goal to a waiting Corey Eatherton who place it in the net. Great start! As the game wore on Truman worked themselves back into the match and midway through the half scored on a very nice long range shot from outside the PA, evening up the score at 1-1 at half-time. Twenty minutes into the second half Truman scored again off a very quick re-start just outside the HAWKS 18 yard line. As the HAWKS were forming their defensive wall a crafty Truman player took a chance on a quick shot and nailed it. The HAWKS were caught by surprise as they were expecting the referee to blow a second whistle to restart the play but he didn’t and the goal stood. Over the last 20 minutes of the match the HAWKS threw everything but the “KITCHEN SINK” at the Truman Bulldogs but couldn’t get the equalizing goal. During this time of pressuring the HAWKS had one ball going IN…but a Truman defender raced back behind the keeper and used a heroic slide to nudge the ball just outside the post…AND…missed an open net from the 6 yard line…and had a header bang off the crossbar. A valiant effort was made to save the game but it just didn’t work out for the HAWKS on this occasion.
This coming weekend the HAWKS open GLVC Play with a home match Friday night 9/11 against Rockhurst at 7:30 PM, and then travel to Springfield MO for a Sunday match with Drury University at 2:30 PM.
Updates on these will be sent out next week.
GO HAWKS…
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