Quincy, Ill - The No. 3 seed Quincy University men's soccer team (10-4-1) shutout No. 6 seed Southern Indiana (7-6-1) in the opening round of the GLVC Tournament on Monday (April 19) at Legends Stadium. The Hawks have won seven of their last eight games and are on a four-game winning streak.
Neither team scored in the first half, but the Hawks controlled the game. QU outshot the Screaming Eagles 5-1 on goal in the first 45-minute period despite being tied 0-0 at the intermission.
The Hawks were able to connect through the middle and create opportunities in the box during the first half, but the bounces did not go their way.
USI couldn't replicate that same pressure, but they forced the Hawks out of their comfort zone. QU only had one corner kick during the contest, but they are averaging nearly seven per game which is top 20 in NCAA DII.
The Hawks eventually were able to break the seal after knocking on the door multiple times. QU Midfielder Aubrey Reis sank his seventh goal of the season in the 54th minute and it proved to be the definitive moment in the match.
"We started to play and knock it around a bit. Then Sadiq caught it on the left hand side, played a really good ball into Jack, who could have tried to do more himself like turn or maybe shoot, but he saw me, laid it off, and I just finished it," said Reis about his eighth-career game-winning-goal.
Reis has now scored 33 goals for the Hawks during his storied tenure with the program. Reis has 76 career points and counting, and has scored or assisted in the last four games.
With just over 20 minutes to go in the second half (69th minute) the Hawks played a man down as QU midfielder Craig Chisholm received a red card on a questionable call. There were two red cards and five yellow cards dealt Monday night during the chippy one-goal victory for QU.
The Hawks had to fend off the USI attack with one less player on the pitch for the final 20-plus minutes of the match. There were 13 combined shots on goal during the game, but five came from USI in the second half when they were forcing the issue and creating opportunities.
Prior to tonight's matchup, Cole Hayes had scored five goals and recorded one assist over the last five games. Hayes forced the issue again in this match with six shots and three of which were on goal with his speedy attack.
Michele Barletta made six saves in the shutout, and has two clean shutouts during the Hawks four-game win streak. The most important save came with less than five seconds left in the match when the keeper jumped to his left, corralled the ball, and the time expired to give QU the win. QU has won the last six games with Barletta between the pipes.
The Hawks defended home turf with authority this season as they went 7-0-1 at Legends Stadium while winning the final five matches at Jack Mackenzie Field. Head coach Mike Carpenter earned his 105th career win tonight in his ninth season at the helm for his alma mater.
"Overall we've strived to play at this level. We're a very competitive group and we want more. Everyone has stepped up and raised their level, we just have to carry this on to Friday," said Reis about the Hawks who have only lost one game (1-0 Rockhurst) in the last 35 days.
Next
The Hawks will travel to Hunter Stadium (Lindenwood University) to face Maryville on Friday at 11:00 a.m. in the GLVC Semifinal. The Hawks opened the season with a 3-1 loss at Maryville as they look to avenge another regular season loss with a postseason victory on Friday (April 23) afternoon.
