QUINCY, Ill. - Quincy women's soccer battled throughout 90 minutes on Wednesday night at Jack Mackenzie Field, but a first-half goal proved to be the difference as the Hawks fell 1-0 to Illinois Springfield.
The Hawks created several opportunities throughout the match and finished with a 15-8 advantage in total shots. Quincy also controlled the corner-kick battle, earning nine corners compared to just one for UIS. After recording four shots in the opening half, Quincy came out with increased pressure after halftime, producing 11 shots in the final 45 minutes.
Quincy's early pressure included a pair of opportunities from Abbie Martin in the opening 11 minutes. Her first attempt went wide in the third minute before her second shot was saved by UIS goalkeeper Gigi Yurevich in the 11th minute. Jessie Newton also tested Yurevich early, putting a shot on goal in the second minute that was saved.
UIS broke through in the 42nd minute when Addi Wittenberg found the back of the net at the 41:05 mark. The goal gave Illinois Springfield a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime, despite Quincy holding a 4-3 edge in shots during the opening period.
The Hawks continued to push forward after the break. Rebecca Rheinheimer, Dache Johnson and other Quincy attackers generated several chances in the opening minutes of the second half as Quincy looked to level the match.
Marina Oberschmid nearly provided the equalizer in the 72nd minute when she put a shot toward the bottom right corner, but Yurevich made the save. Emily Richardson followed with another dangerous opportunity in the 77th minute, but her attempt was also stopped by the UIS goalkeeper.
Quincy's biggest opportunity came in the 75th minute. After a foul inside the box, the Hawks were awarded a penalty kick, giving Rheinheimer a chance to tie the match. Yurevich came up with the save, keeping UIS in front 1-0. Quincy immediately continued its attack, earning a corner kick just seconds later.
The Hawks kept the pressure on late, earning multiple corner kicks in the final 15 minutes. Erin Kretzer put another shot toward goal in the 85th minute, while Rheinheimer had a final opportunity in the 89th minute that went wide. Quincy also earned two corner kicks in the closing minute as it continued searching for the equalizer.
Rheinheimer led Quincy with four shots, including one on goal. Johnson, Newton and Abbie Martin each recorded two shots, while Oberschmid and Richardson each added two attempts. Yurevich finished with five saves for UIS.
Defensively, Devin Tracy played all 90 minutes in goal for Quincy and recorded one save. The Hawks limited UIS to just eight total shots and only two shots on goal.
Despite the result, Quincy finished the night with a strong second-half showing, outshooting UIS 11-3 after halftime and earning eight of its nine corner kicks in the final 45 minutes. The Hawks continued to create opportunities throughout the closing stages, but UIS held on for the 1-0 victory.
Quincy moves forward from Wednesday's match looking to build on its second-half pressure and offensive chances as the Hawks continue their 2026 season. Conference matchups continue for Quincy on Saturday, September 26th at Legends Stadium with a start time of 11:00 AM.
