QUINCY, Ill. – Quincy University delivered a statement performance Saturday afternoon at QU Stadium, pushing preseason NAIA No. 1 Benedictine (Kan.) to overtime before falling 16-15 in a dramatic contest.

The Ravens entered the season atop the national rankings after a perfect 21-0 campaign and NAIA National Championship last spring, but the Hawks matched the defending champions stride for stride in a game that featured seven ties, multiple momentum swings, and a sudden-death finish.

Quincy struck first when Amelia Ham opened the scoring, and the Hawks controlled the early tempo of the first quarter. After Benedictine briefly tied and took a 2-1 lead, goals from Anni Moran and Alaina Wilkinson sparked a Quincy surge. Wilkinson scored twice during a three-goal run, and Raena Crews added another as the Hawks closed the opening period ahead 5-3.

The Hawks extended their advantage in the second quarter. Moran's second goal pushed the lead to 6-3 before Wilkinson and Crews each found the net to help Quincy build an 8-3 cushion. Benedictine answered late, but Wilkinson's fourth goal of the half sent the Hawks into the break with a 9-4 lead and full control of the momentum.

Benedictine mounted its response in the third quarter, scoring twice to trim the deficit before Wilkinson and Amelia Ham answered to maintain Quincy's advantage. The Ravens continued their push, capitalizing on key possessions to pull within one, but Ham's second goal of the frame and a man-down finish restored a two-goal cushion. Benedictine closed the period with a late goal, tightening the contest to 12-10 entering the fourth.

The fourth quarter featured back-and-forth drama. Benedictine struck first to cut the margin to one before tying the game at 12. Mikenna Ham gave Quincy the lead again, and Emily Leal followed with a goal to make it 14-12. The Ravens responded with consecutive goals to even the score, but Moran's man-up finish put the Hawks back in front 15-14 with just over three minutes remaining. Benedictine forced overtime with a late equalizer in the final minute, sending the game to sudden death.

In overtime, both teams traded possessions before Benedictine netted the decisive goal with 2:11 remaining to secure the 16-15 victory.

Despite the result, the Hawks produced one of their strongest performances of the season against the nation's top-ranked team. Alaina Wilkinson delivered a career-high seven points on five goals and two assists, while Amelia Ham tied her career and the Quincy single-game record with five assists and added three goals for an eight-point effort. Mikenna Ham anchored the defensive effort by tying her career and the Quincy single-game record with five caused turnovers.

Making her first career start, Ava Condos was outstanding in goal, recording 13 saves and coming up with several key stops that kept Quincy within striking distance throughout the contest.

The Hawks will return to action Friday, February 27, at 2:00 PM when they host Concordia-St. Paul inside QU Stadium, continuing their search for the season's first win.