QUINCY, Ill. - The Quincy University women's soccer team's season came to an end Friday (Nov.17) with a 3-1 loss to the Grand Valley State Lakers in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region championship at Central Missouri University in Warrensburg, Mo.   

The Lakers struck first in the 11th minute when Gabriella Mencotti's shot from the middle of the box found the back of the net to put Grand Valley State up 1-0.  

Due to strong southern winds, Grand Valley State managed to keep the ball in the Hawks end for a good portion of the first half.  

Senior goalkeeper Megan Swanson had a busy first half, making eight saves against one of the top goal-scoring teams in the country.  

In the 34th minute, the Lakers extended their lead as Tara Lierman scored off a corner kick and Grand Valley State held a 2-0 lead with 11 minutes to play in the first half.   

The Hawks remained composed and in the 40th minute trimmed the lead to 2-1.  

Off a QU corner kick, the ball was deflected back to senior Natalie Quisenberry about 25 yards from goal. Quisenberry buried her long shot to cut the Lakers lead in half.  

The Hawks went into the half trailing the Lakers 2-1.  

In the 47th minute junior defender Gabby Orlando received a yellow card on a slide tackle on a Grand Valley State player.  This play had sevearl implications later in the contest.  

The Lakers tallied seven shots over the next 18 minutes, but the Hawks held firm and remained one goal down.  

On another slide tackle in the 65th minute, Orlando was given her second yellow which resulted in a red card.  The Hawks were forced to play the remaining 25 minutes a player down.  

A minute later, Mackenzie Rief's shot was turned away as the regining GLVC Offensive Player of the Year could not best the Lakers goalkeeper.  

The Grand Valley State attack remained strong and the Lakers added a goal in the 80th minute to take a 3-1 advantage.  

A Quisenberry shot in the 82nd minute was the last scoring chance the Hawks.  

Grand Valley State advances to play the winner of Central Missouri and Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Sunday's national tournament quarterfinals. 

The 2017 season was one of the most successful seasons in QU history.  

This was just the fourth time since 1994 a QU team has advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 (1994, 1995, 2013). The 17 victories stand as the second most in program history (The record is 18 victories in 2013).  

Megan Swason tied the QU record for wins in a season with 17, matching Jodi Chapie's mark set in 2013. Swanson also finished second for shutouts  (13) and saves (91) in a single season.

In her career, Swason finished second all-time in shutouts (37), saves (341)  and earned 42 wins.  

The Hawks also posted the longest streak of consecutive games without allowing a goal (7) and minutes between allowing goals (694).

Mackenzie Rief was named GLVC Offensive Player of the Year, leading the conference in nearly every offensive category.  

Allison Birke was named GLVC Defensive Player of the Year and was a cornerstone for the Hawks defense over the last three seasons.  

QU had seven players named All GLVC this season. First Team: Rief, Birke, Quiesenberry, Katie Heiligenstein, and Cassidy Foley.  Third Team: Bailey Greubel and Swanson.  

Head coach Dave Musso was named GLVC Coach of the Year for the fourth time in his career.   This was also the third time under Musso the Hawks have won Offensive, Defensive and Coach of the Year awards. 

Musso is just four wins from surpassing Bill Postiglione (168 wins) for most in QU history.