QUINCY, Ill. - The Quincy University women's soccer team celebrated Senior Day in style on Saturday afternoon, earning a 3-1 victory over Southwest Baptist University at Jack Mackenzie Field.
The Hawks put together a strong second-half performance, scoring three goals in the final 30 minutes to secure the win.
Senior Day became even more memorable as
Rebecca Rheinheimer recorded a hat trick, scoring all three of Quincy's goals to lead the Hawks to victory.
Quincy and Southwest Baptist played a competitive first half, with the Hawks creating several opportunities to take an early lead. Quincy outshot the Bearcats 9-1 in the opening 45 minutes, putting consistent pressure on the Southwest Baptist defense.
Rheinheimer generated two early chances, forcing goalkeeper Cece Alexander to make saves in the 18th and 19th minutes.
Erin Kretzer also tested Alexander in the 28th minute, while
Jessie Newton and
Tori Nelson contributed additional attacking opportunities.
The Hawks continued to push forward as the half progressed, earning a corner kick in the 38th minute. Quincy came close to breaking through late in the half when Kretzer struck the woodwork in the 44th minute.
Newton followed with another shot on target moments later, but Alexander made the save to keep the game scoreless heading into halftime.
Quincy carried that attacking momentum into the second half and finally found the breakthrough in the 61st minute.
Rheinheimer stepped up to take a penalty kick at 60:01 and converted the opportunity to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. The goal rewarded Quincy's sustained offensive pressure and gave the home side the advantage it had been seeking throughout the afternoon.
Just over three minutes later, Rheinheimer struck again. At 63:36,
Emily Richardson provided the assist on Rheinheimer's second goal of the afternoon, doubling the Quincy lead to 2-0.
The quick succession of goals gave the Hawks control of the match and put Southwest Baptist in a difficult position as it tried to find a response.
Rheinheimer continued to be the difference-maker in the closing stages. At 83:34, she completed her hat trick with her third goal of the game, this time finishing a play set up by Newton.
The goal extended Quincy's lead to 3-0 and capped a standout individual performance on Senior Day. Rheinheimer finished with seven shots, six of which were on goal, and accounted for all three of the Hawks' goals.
Southwest Baptist found the net late in the contest, with Annabelle Shuler scoring at 89:36 off an assist from Jade Johnson.
The Bearcats' goal cut the deficit to 3-1, but Quincy maintained its two-goal advantage through the final whistle to close out the victory.
The Hawks finished with a decisive advantage in the attacking statistics, outshooting Southwest Baptist 19-6 and holding a 9-2 edge in shots on goal. Quincy also earned three corner kicks compared to one for the Bearcats.
Alexander recorded six saves for Southwest Baptist, while Quincy goalkeeper
Libby Kamp played all 90 minutes and made one save. The Hawks were disciplined defensively, committing just two fouls compared to 10 by Southwest Baptist.
With the Senior Day victory, Quincy improved to 5-3-6 overall and 5-2-4 in conference play. The women currently sit in the sixth place position in conference standings.
The Hawks' offensive production, combined with their ability to create chances throughout both halves, provided a fitting way to celebrate the team's seniors.
Rheinheimer's three-goal performance served as the centerpiece of the afternoon, as Quincy turned a scoreless first half into a convincing 3-1 win at Jack Mackenzie Field.
Quincy will use today's momentum for their next match against Upper Iowa University on Wednesday, October 14th hosted at Legends Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM.
