Quincy, Ill. - The Quincy University women's soccer program fell to a strong offensive McKendree University on Friday night (Oct. 20). Despite a few chances throughout the game to chance pace, the Hawks could not rebound from the five goals scored by the Bearcats and lost 5-0. 

The Bearcats struck quickly in the first half with a goal in the first two minutes of play. A ball over the top of the Hawks defense bounced into the box, finding the foot of McKendree's ace, putting the Hawks down one to start the game. The Bearcats came back shortly after with another goal at the ten-minute mark. After this second goal, the Hawks shifted their mentality foward and began to encroach into Bearcat territory. 

Just over halfway through the half, Hawk fans were in for excitment when Emme Kirn ran down the McKendree striker, getting caught up in her legs and recieved a red card for fouling as the final defender. Luckily for the Hawks and Kirn, the card was dismissed due to play beginning with an offsides call. 

The half finished with another Bearcats goal, putting the Hawks in chasing position going into the final 45 minutes of play. Goalkeeper Julia Mincher had a key extension dive to her right in the final minutes of the half to hold McKendree to just three goals. 

The Hawks came out of the locker room with high energy and held play in McKendree's defensive half until they scored their fourth goal of the game, coming off a slotted ball tapped into the goal within feet of the goal line. The Bearcats put another ball in the back of the net fifteen minutes later to seal the game at 5-0. 

The Hawks defense relied on Kirn and Destinee Robertson, both who kept the Bearcats at bay both in the air and on foot. Mincher had a career high game at 12 saves. The Hawks best opportunity came from a rocket off of Lisa Albarran's foot in the first half that went just inches over the crossbar. 

The Hawks look to get back into the conference tournament mix on Sunday when they face University of Missouri-St. Louis at home.