QUINCY, Ill. - Mackenzie Rief's (Wentzville, MO./ St. Dominic) third minute goal proved to be the deciding factor in the Quincy women's soccer 1-0 victory over the 16th ranked McKendree Bearcats.  

The Bearcats came into the match with a perfect 7-0-1 record, 5-0-1 in the GLVC and their highest ranking in school history since making the transition from NAIA to Division II competition.  

The Hawks had high intensity on the offensive end from the opening kickoff.  The Hawks struck early when Cassidy Foley (Quincy, IL./ Quincy Notre Dame) sent a through ball behind the Bearcats defense to a streaking Rief.  Rief drilled her shot off the cross bar and the ball deflected in for her third goal of the season.  

QU had a prime scoring chance turned away by the McKendree goaltender when Mo Rooney (St. Louis, MO./ Incarnate Word) drove a shot from just outside the 18-yard box.  Rooney's shot was saved by a diving Zoe Brochu to keep the score a 1-0 in favor of Quincy.  

The Bearcats nearly tied the game after Alynnah O'Leary got behind the Hawks defense and took a shot on goal.  Her shot got beat Megan Swanson (St. Charles, MO./ St. Dominic) after Swason had come out of the goal trying to make the save.  The shot hit the post and was cleared away by the Hawk defense and QU maintained its 1-0 lead. 

The Hawks took their 1-0 lead into the half. 

The QU defense never allowed the Bearcats a clean look at the goal in the second half.  

Swanson made her third and final save of the game in the 88th minute to preserve her sixth shutout of the season.  

The Hawks improved to 8-2 on the year and now hold sole possession of first place in the GLVC with a 5-1 conference record.  

QU travels to Southern Indiana Friday (Hawktober 6) in their next GLVC contest.