QUINCY, Ill. – The Toyota Star of the Week returns for the 2026-27 season, spotlighting outstanding performances across Quincy University's 28 athletic programs. The first honoree of the new year is
Leo Cann of Quincy University men's soccer after recording the first hat trick of his career in the Hawks' 5-1 victory over St. Cloud State on Saturday.
Quincy played twice during the opening week of the season, beginning with a 2-1 road loss to Parkside on Thursday. Cann played 67 minutes in the season opener and recorded one shot.
The junior broke through in a big way two days later in Quincy's home opener at Legends Stadium.
Cann needed just 50 minutes of action to record his first career hat trick, scoring in the 10th, 47th and 85th minutes of the Hawks' 5-1 victory. He attempted seven shots and put all seven on goal while helping Quincy earn its first win of the season.
Cann opened the scoring in the 10th minute. A Quincy throw-in from its own half was headed forward by a St. Cloud State defender, sending the ball into the attacking third and allowing Cann to get behind the defense. With defenders closing in, Cann carried the ball into the left side of the box before lifting a right-footed shot over the goalkeeper to give the Hawks a 1-0 advantage.
His second goal came just two minutes into the second half. Quincy quickly moved forward on the counterattack before
Jose Perez switched the ball across the field to Cann. Cann worked toward the middle of the box and finished past the goalkeeper to extend the Hawks' advantage.
Cann completed the hat trick in the 85th minute on another Quincy counterattack. Perez again provided the service, finding Cann with space in the attacking third. Cann broke free toward goal and fired his shot into the top of the net to secure the first three-goal performance of his collegiate career.
Cann, who has been a member of the Hawks since his freshman season, now has 11 career goals.
Quincy returns to Legends Stadium on Wednesday, September 2, against Purdue Northwest. Due to expected extreme heat, the match has been moved from its originally scheduled noon start to 10:00 AM.
