Men's Soccer 12/3/2014 3:40:00 PM Nicholas Kedzuch

PREVIEW: NCAA DII Semifinal Quincy vs Lynn

NCAA Division II Quincy Men's Soccer Tournament Page

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The fifth-ranked Quincy University men's soccer team is set to play in their first NCAA Division II Semifinal match on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. CDT. QU will face third-ranked Lynn University with the winner awaiting the victor of top-ranked University of Charleston versus No. 11 Colorado Mesa. Both games will take place at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium on the campus of Bellarmine University.

Lynn (17-1-1) was the top-ranked team in the South Region with wins against Saint Leo and Young Harris in the regional and super regional rounds. The Fighting Knights have scored 52 goals this season and allowed 18 goals to opponents this season. Rollins was the only team to beat and tie Lynn this season.

Lynn is led by Sophomore Chris Hellmann with 24 goals and 11 assists this season. Hellman was named to the Daktronics All-America First Team. Nicolas Mortensen is another main contributor for the Fighting Knights. The freshman forward has nine goals and nine assists.

Freshman Lucas Fancello has been the keeper for the past nine games. Fancello took over after the tie to Rollins. Fancello has a 9-0 record with with three shutouts. He has allowed eight goals and and made 22 saves in nine games.

Quincy (21-1-2) was the top-ranked team in the Midwest Region. QU defeated Drury, Saginaw Valley State, and Fort Hays State on their way to the semifinals. The Hawks have netted 68 goals this season while allowed 14 goals to opponents. QU finished the regular season undefeated for the first time in program history. The Hawks' 21 wins is tied for the most wins in school history. The last team to win 21 was the 1981 NAIA National Champions. That is the last time Quincy men's soccer has hung a national championship banner.

This is the furthest the Hawks have gotten in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. QU picked up their first NCAA Division II postseason win this season in their win over Drury.

The Hawks offense is led by senior striker Jordan Roberts and sophomore Xhovani Dokaj. Roberts was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference and Daktronics Midwest Region Player of the Year with 23 goals and seven assists. Roberts was also named to the Daktronics All-America Second Team. Dokaj also earned Daktronics All-America Second Team honors with 18 goals and 12 assists. Dokaj leads the nation with 11 game-winning goals.

Steve McAnany is the quarterback of the Hawk attack. The senior midfielder was named to the Daktronics All-Midwest Region Second Team. McAnany scored three goals and recorded 10 assists. McAnany takes most of the corners, free kicks, and penalty kicks for the Hawks.

Chris Garavaglia has been a stronghold for the QU defense for the past four seasons. Garavaglia was named to the Daktronics All-America First Team this season. The senior center back was also a member of the Daktronics All-America Third Team in 2012. Garavaglia was named the GLVC Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in his career. He is the first GLVC defender to earn the award twice.

Drew Duncan has continued an impressive performance in net this season leading the nation with 15 shutouts. The shutout mark is also a school record. Duncan has allowed 14 goals to opponents and has played every minute of every game this season. The senior keeper is in the top-10 nationally for goals against average and save percentage. Duncan was named to the Daktronics All-America Third Team.

Lynn and Quincy hit the pitch at 1 p.m. CDT tomorrow (Dec. 4) with a berth in the NCAA Division II National Championship game hanging in the balance.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Xhovani Dokaj: D; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#25 Drew Duncan: GK; 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior

#18 Chris Garavaglia: D; 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior

#21 Steve McAnany: MF; 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior

#14 Jordan Roberts: F; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#6 Xhovani Dokaj
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: D

#25 Drew Duncan
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Senior
: GK

#18 Chris Garavaglia
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior
: D

#21 Steve McAnany
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Senior
: MF

#14 Jordan Roberts
: 6' 2"; Senior
: F