QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University women's soccer team will look to continue its recent offensive breakout when it hosts Missouri S&T on Saturday at 1 PM at Legends Stadium.
After scoring just three goals through their first three matches, the Hawks have erupted for seven goals during their current two-game winning streak, highlighted by a 5-0 victory over Indianapolis on Wednesday and a 2-1 upset of No. 22 McKendree on Sunday.
Quincy enters Saturday's matchup at 2-1-2 overall and 2-0 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.
Missouri S&T arrives in Quincy riding a three-game winning streak of its own. The Miners improved to 3-1 overall after defeating William Jewell 2-0 on Wednesday and currently sit at 2-0 in conference play.
Offensive Awakening
The Hawks' recent success has been fueled by a balanced attack that appears to be finding its rhythm.
Against Indianapolis, five different Quincy players scored as the Hawks posted their highest goal total of the season.
Rebecca Rheinheimer,
Erin Kretzer,
Jessie Newton,
Lucy Thomas and
Emily Richardson each found the back of the net in the victory.
Rheinheimer opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Kretzer recorded her first collegiate goal three minutes later. Newton added another goal in the 27th minute, giving Quincy a 3-0 halftime advantage.
Thomas scored her first goal as a Hawk in the 64th minute before Richardson capped the scoring in the 78th minute with her first collegiate goal.
The offensive surge began Sunday at No. 22 McKendree. Quincy entered halftime trailing 1-0 before
Abbie Martin scored twice in the second half to lift the Hawks to their first victory of the season.
Over the past two matches, Quincy has generated 35 shots, 18 shots on goal and seven goals.
Rheinheimer leads the Hawks with three goals and 22 shots this season. Martin follows with two goals on seven shots, while Newton has added a goal, five assists, and 16 shots.
As a team, Quincy has totaled 74 shots and 38 shots on goal through five matches.
Defense Delivering Results
While the offense has received plenty of attention during the winning streak, Quincy's defense has been equally important.
The Hawks have allowed just five goals this season and are coming off their first shutout of the year.
Against Indianapolis, Quincy limited the Greyhounds to just one shot throughout the entire match, while goalkeeper
Devin Tracy recorded one save.
Tracy has totaled 19 saves this season and has helped anchor a defensive unit that has allowed opponents few quality scoring opportunities during conference play.
Familiar Matchup
History still favors Quincy in this matchup.
Saturday's contest will mark the 45th meeting between the two programs since 1982, with the Hawks holding a 30-10-4 all-time advantage over the Miners.
Quincy has also been strong at home in the series, posting an 18-5 record against Missouri S&T in Quincy. In conference play, the Hawks own an 18-1-2 record against the Miners.
Quincy has won the last five meetings between the teams and has not lost to Missouri S&T at home since 2000.
Last season, the Hawks earned a 2-0 home victory behind goals from
Dache Johnson and
Ella Wolfard.
Martin,
Claudia Andreu and Rheinheimer each recorded assists, while Tracy made three saves to secure the shutout.
Scouting Missouri S&T
Despite the historical advantage for Quincy, Missouri S&T enters Saturday as one of the conference's hottest teams.
After opening the season with a 1-0 loss to Central Missouri, the Miners have responded with three consecutive victories while outscoring opponents 7-3 during that stretch.
Adriana Benassi leads the Miners with three goals and 13 shots, while Aubrey Case follows with two goals on six shots.
Benassi remains one of the conference's most dangerous players after earning First Team All-GLVC and D2CCA First Team All-Midwest Region honors last season.
She finished second in the conference with 14 goals and led the league with seven game-winning goals while helping Missouri S&T advance to the GLVC Tournament semifinals.
The Miners are also coming off a strong defensive performance against William Jewell.
Missouri S&T outshot the Cardinals 21-4, placed 14 shots on goal and recorded a shutout behind goalkeeper Catie Riddle's three saves.
Missouri S&T has allowed four goals through its first four matches.
The Miners were selected seventh in the GLVC Preseason Coaches' Poll after finishing 9-6-4 overall and 6-5-4 in conference play last season. They are led by head coach Matthew Perry, who is in his third season.
Matchup Outlook
Saturday's contest features one of the weekend's most intriguing conference matchups, with both teams entering at 2-0 in GLVC play and riding winning streaks.
A key battle will be Quincy's resurgent offense against a Missouri S&T defense that has kept opponents in check early in the season.
The Hawks have scored seven goals over their last two matches, while the Miners have won three straight and are coming off a shutout of William Jewell.
Another matchup to watch will be between each team's top attacking threat.
Rheinheimer and Benassi enter the match tied with three goals apiece and have been central to their teams' offensive success.
If Quincy can maintain the attacking form it displayed against McKendree and Indianapolis while continuing its strong defensive play, the Hawks will have an opportunity to remain unbeaten in conference play and extend their success against the Miners.
Kickoff between Quincy and Missouri S&T is scheduled for 1 PM Saturday, September 12, at Legends Stadium.
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Live Stats
Box Score vs. Indianapolis
