KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Quincy University men's soccer team is set to return to the postseason stage for the first time since the 2020-21 season, as the No. 8-seeded Hawks travel to Kansas City, Missouri, to take on top-seeded and nationally 10th-ranked Rockhurst University in the GLVC Men's Soccer Quarterfinal on Saturday, November 8th at Bourke Field.

Quincy enters the matchup with an 8-6-3 overall record and a 6-6-1 mark in GLVC play, while Rockhurst finished the regular season 11-3-3 overall and 10-1-3 in the GLVC, earning the program's sixth regular-season championship in school history.

Coaching Matchup: Two Experienced Leaders at the Helm

Quincy is led by Head Coach Mike Carpenter, now in his 14th season guiding the Hawks. Carpenter has been in this position before, having taken Quincy to the national stage four times, while also winning two GLVC regular-season titles and now making his eighth GLVC Tournament appearance. Known for his ability to elevate teams in the postseason, Carpenter looks to rally his group as the No. 8 seed, aiming to spark a tournament run.

On the other sideline is one of the most storied coaches in collegiate history, Rockhurst's Tony Tocco, who is in his 55th season leading the Hawks. Tocco recorded his 750th career victory earlier this season and has led Rockhurst to sustained success across decades, including six GLVC Tournament championships. His teams are consistently organized, tested, and battle-ready in November.

Program Postseason History

This marks Quincy's first GLVC Tournament appearance since 2020-21 and the 22nd appearance in school history. The Hawks last won a tournament match in that 2020-21 run, defeating Southern Indiana 1-0 before falling in the semifinals to Maryville. Quincy has one GLVC Tournament championship, which came in 2011—the final season under nine-time NAIA national champion Jack Mackenzie. That championship run included a semifinal upset of top-seeded Rockhurst in penalty kicks, followed by a double overtime victory over Drury.

Rockhurst enters the GLVC Tournament for the fourth straight season and the 17th time in program history. The Hawks have won the tournament six times, most recently in 2016, and have once again positioned themselves as a postseason favorite.

Series History Between the Programs

Rockhurst leads the all-time series 19-10-5 dating back to 1998 and holds an 8-5-3 advantage at home on Bourke Field. However, Quincy has shown the ability to win on the road in recent history, including a 3-2 victory in Kansas City in 2022, where second-half goals from Paal Vistnes and Carter Venvertloh helped secure the win.

The teams met earlier this season on October 10th, also at Bourke Field, in a tightly contested defensive match where Rockhurst earned a 1-0 victory after scoring in the 80th minute. Rockhurst outshot Quincy 12-6, held a 4-1 edge in shots on goal, and took nine corner kicks to Quincy's one.

When it comes to meeting in the GLVC Tournament, Rockhurst has controlled the series, winning five of six postseason matchups. Their most recent tournament meeting came in 2016, when Rockhurst earned a 2-1 semifinal win before going on to claim the championship. In 2015, the two teams met for the GLVC title, where Rockhurst defeated Quincy 1-0. Quincy's lone tournament win over Rockhurst came during its 2011 championship run. The two programs have met once in the quarterfinals, which came in 2007, when Rockhurst took down Quincy in PKs. 

Statistical Comparison
 

Category	Quincy	Rockhurst
Goals Scored	24 (9th)	26 (T4th)
Goals Against Average	0.710 (2nd GLVC, T16 NCAA DII)	0.650 (1st GLVC, T10th NCAA DII)
Shots	187 (10th)	197 (7th)
Shots on Goal	77 (11th)	136 (2nd)
Saves	70 (4th)	53 (12th)
Shutouts	6 (T4th)	7 (T2nd)
Corners Taken	66 (12th)	106 (1st)

 

Players to Watch

Rockhurst

• Immanuel Wayoro (M) – 2.35 shots per game (3rd GLVC), 7 goals (T4th)
• Kaden Cripe (M) – Also with 7 goals; scored game-winner vs. QU earlier this year
• Brunoro Briani (GK) – GLVC leader in GAA (0.505), with 8 shutouts and a .825 save percentage (2nd in GLVC)
• Asier Olano (D) & Mattia Petricca (D) – Defensive anchors, both logging heavy minutes and leading Rockhurst's disciplined back line structure. Olano also leads Rockhurst with six assists

Quincy

• Carlos Moreno Henao (M) – Team leader with 8 goals and 19 points (2nd in GLVC), looking to break a five-match scoring drought against the league's top defense
• Leo Cann (F/M) – 4 goals, including three game-winners (T2nd in GLVC), a proven clutch finisher in big moments
• Paal Vistnes (D) & Jake Ellis (D) – The Hawks' two core defensive leaders, both consistently playing full 90s and tasked with limiting Rockhurst's attacking threats
• Jake Offerman (GK) – 0.706 GAA (3rd in GLVC), conference-leading 69 saves, six shutouts, and a .852 save percentage, emerging as one of the top goalkeepers in the GLVC after not playing a minute last season

What's at Stake

Saturday's winner advances to the GLVC Tournament Semifinals, which will be held on Wednesday, November 13th at Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex in St. Louis, Missouri. The advancing team will face the winner of the No. 4 seed Indianapolis vs. the No. 5 seed Maryville quarterfinal.

This is a matchup rooted in history, defined by elite defensive standards, guided by two of the most experienced coaches in the conference, and shaped by the smallest margins November soccer can offer.

Kickoff on Saturday is set for 6:00 PM at Bourke Field.