QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University men's soccer team returns to Legends Stadium on Wednesday night to host the University of Illinois Springfield in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM.

The Hawks enter the match at 4-1-3 overall and remain unbeaten in GLVC play with a 3-0-2 record following a scoreless draw at Rockhurst on Saturday. Illinois Springfield comes to Quincy still searching for its first victory of the season, at 0-6-1 overall and 0-3-1 in conference play.

Wednesday's matchup features a Quincy defense that has allowed just six goals through eight matches against a Prairie Stars side looking to reverse a difficult start to the season.

Last Time Out

Quincy earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Rockhurst on Saturday in Kansas City. In a defensive battle between two conference opponents, neither side was able to break through despite opportunities on both ends.

Goalkeeper Jake Offerman made one save and helped secure Quincy's third shutout of the season. The Hawks finished with an 8-7 advantage in shots and a 2-1 edge in shots on goal.

Leo Cann led the Quincy attack with three shots, while Rylan Fischer and Lucca Barbero each put an attempt on target.

The draw kept Quincy unbeaten in conference play and extended the Hawks' streak to seven consecutive matches allowing one goal or fewer since surrendering two in the season opener at Parkside.

Defense Continues to Lead the Way

The Hawks have built much of their early-season success around defensive consistency. Through eight matches, Quincy has allowed only six goals while recording three shutouts.

The Hawks have surrendered more than one goal only once all season and have now held three of their last four opponents scoreless.

Offerman has provided stability in goal while the Quincy back line has consistently limited opposing attacks.

That defensive strength has helped the Hawks remain unbeaten through their first five GLVC matches and earn results against conference contenders such as Missouri S&T and Rockhurst.

Opportunity for the Quincy Attack

While the defense has provided the foundation for Quincy's strong start, Wednesday presents an opportunity for the offense to get back on the scoresheet.

The Hawks have scored 14 goals through eight matches and have found the back of the net in each of their first seven contests before Saturday's scoreless draw.

Cann continues to lead the attack with six goals and remains one of the conference's most dangerous offensive threats.

Josh Nwosu has added two goals and two assists, while Fischer, Barbero, and several others have helped Quincy consistently generate chances throughout the season.

The Hawks will face a UIS defense that has surrendered 18 goals through seven matches. Converting those opportunities will be key as Quincy looks to build on its unbeaten conference start.

Prairie Stars Still Searching for First Win

Illinois Springfield enters Wednesday still searching for its first victory of the season. The Prairie Stars have been outscored 18-5 through seven matches and are averaging 0.71 goals per game while allowing 2.57.

UIS has also faced a significant disadvantage in overall opportunities, recording 51 shots while allowing 120.

Despite those struggles, the Prairie Stars nearly earned a result against Missouri S&T on Saturday.

UIS entered halftime tied 2-2 and kept the match even deep into the second half before Missouri S&T scored twice in the closing minutes to earn a 4-2 victory.

Goalkeeper Joe Brudnak helped keep the Prairie Stars in the match with 11 saves.

The performance showed UIS can still create problems when given opportunities, particularly in transition.

Series History

Quincy holds a 24-12-2 advantage in the series against Illinois Springfield dating back to 1978.

The Hawks earned a 2-0 road victory over the Prairie Stars last season, snapping a three-match UIS winning streak in the series and giving Quincy its first victory over Illinois Springfield since 2021.

Paal Vistnes broke the scoreless tie just before halftime, and Grant Buer scored the first goal of his collegiate career early in the second half to double the advantage.

Offerman turned in one of the best performances of his career, making eight saves to preserve the shutout.

UIS finished with a 13-9 advantage in shots, but Quincy was efficient with its opportunities, putting eight of its nine attempts on goal.

Scouting UIS

Gentil Selemani has provided the majority of Illinois Springfield's offensive production, leading the Prairie Stars with three goals.

Robin Lemke Bergseth has added one goal and one assist, while Carter Downen has also found the back of the net.

Lemke Bergseth leads UIS with 15 shots and returns after being named the 2025 GLVC Freshman of the Year.

The Prairie Stars have used multiple goalkeepers this season.

Freshman Kevin Kardel has appeared in five matches and recorded 28 saves. Kardel was named GLVC Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season after making seven saves in a scoreless draw against then-No. 11 Lincoln for his first collegiate shutout.

Brudnak has appeared in two matches and recorded 13 saves, including his 11-save performance against Missouri S&T.

UIS was selected 13th in the GLVC Preseason Coaches' Poll and is led by third-year head coach Graham Shaw.

Matchup Outlook

Wednesday's contest features two teams entering from very different positions through the opening weeks of the season.

Quincy remains unbeaten in conference play and has relied on a defense that has surrendered just six goals through eight matches and one or fewer in seven consecutive contests.

UIS, meanwhile, is still searching for its first victory and has struggled to consistently keep opponents off the scoreboard.

For Quincy, the challenge will be turning its possession and scoring opportunities into goals against a Prairie Stars team that showed Saturday it can remain competitive deep into matches.

Cann and the Quincy attack will look to take advantage of a UIS defense that has allowed 18 goals, while the Hawks' back line will aim to continue its strong run of form.

Kickoff between Quincy and Illinois Springfield is scheduled for 7:30 PM Wednesday at Legends Stadium.

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Live Stats
Box Score vs. Rockhurst