QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University women's soccer team travels to Lebanon, Illinois, on Sunday for its Great Lakes Valley Conference opener against No. 22 McKendree University.
Originally scheduled for Saturday at noon, the match has been pushed back one day due to the expected heat. Kickoff is now scheduled for 5 PM Sunday, September 6, at Leemon Field.
The Hawks enter conference play with a 0-1-2 record following a 1-0 loss at Pittsburg State on Wednesday. McKendree enters the match undefeated at 4-0 after earning a 3-0 victory over Christian Brothers on Thursday.
Sunday's contest marks the beginning of GLVC play for both programs.
Last Time Out
Quincy is coming off a hard-fought 1-0 road loss to Pittsburg State on Wednesday.
In the first meeting between the two programs, the Gorillas scored in the third minute to take an early lead. Despite the early setback, the Hawks continued to challenge Pitt State throughout the match.
Quincy recorded six shots, including four on goal.
Rebecca Rheinheimer continued to pressure the Gorillas late, recording two shots in the final 15 minutes while searching for the equalizer.
Defensively, the Hawks kept Pitt State scoreless for the final 87 minutes of the match.
Goalkeeper
Devin Tracy recorded four saves as Quincy faced 15 shots and remained within striking distance until the final whistle.
Rheinheimer continues to lead Quincy offensively with two goals and 13 shots through the first three matches.
To view the full recap from Wednesday's match, click
here.
Matchup History
Sunday's contest will mark the 20th meeting between Quincy and McKendree. The Bearcats hold a 10-6-3 advantage in the all-time series.
Last season, the two teams battled to a scoreless draw at Legends Stadium. Prior to that result, McKendree had won five consecutive meetings dating back to 2020.
The draw helped Quincy secure a top-four finish in the GLVC standings and earn the right to host a conference tournament quarterfinal match.
The matchup showcased the defensive strengths of both teams.
Quincy outshot McKendree 14-10, including an 8-4 advantage in the second half, but neither side was able to find the back of the net.
Tracy recorded four saves in the match as the Hawks earned their ninth shutout of the season.
Scouting McKendree
The Bearcats enter conference play with a perfect 4-0 record and have opened the year with strong performances on both ends of the field.
McKendree has scored eight goals on 55 shots while allowing just two goals through its first four matches.
Junior forward Maddie Mauch leads the Bearcats offensively with four goals and 18 shots.
Mauch entered the season after earning First Team All-GLVC and multiple All-Region honors in 2025. She has quickly picked up where she left off, including scoring both goals in McKendree's 2-1 home-opening victory over Union and adding the game-winner against Delta State.
In goal, senior Peyton Baker has allowed only two goals while recording 12 saves through four matches.
The Bearcats most recently defeated Christian Brothers 3-0 on Thursday, scoring twice in the first half before adding another early in the second half to remain unbeaten.
Experienced Group Returns
McKendree brings back several of the key pieces from a team that finished 13-2-6 last season and claimed the GLVC regular-season championship.
The Bearcats advanced to their third consecutive GLVC Tournament championship match before earning their ninth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. McKendree also hosted NCAA Tournament action as the No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region.
Mauch is joined by senior midfielder Maggie Gleckler and senior defender Zoe Cormier as returning First Team All-GLVC selections.
All three also earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors last season, with Gleckler earning First Team recognition and Cormier and Mauch landing on the Second Team. Baker was also named Third Team All-Region.
Cormier provides experience along the back line for a defense that has continued to make scoring difficult this season, while Gleckler gives the Bearcats another proven option in the midfield.
McKendree was picked tied for second in the 2026 GLVC Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving 170 points and one first-place vote. Quincy was selected fifth.
Final Season Under Strange
Sunday will also be Quincy's first conference matchup against McKendree during the final season of longtime head coach Tim Strange.
Strange announced before the season that he will retire following the 2026 campaign after nearly four decades of collegiate coaching.
He reached another milestone earlier this week when McKendree's 1-0 victory over Delta State gave him the 600th win of his coaching career.
Under Strange, McKendree has developed into one of the most consistent programs in the GLVC and Midwest Region.
Matchup Outlook
Sunday's conference opener presents a matchup between Quincy's defense and a McKendree attack that has started the season quickly.
The Bearcats have scored eight goals while allowing only two through four matches and enter conference play with plenty of momentum. Quincy, meanwhile, has remained competitive defensively, allowing just four goals through its first three matches.
The Hawks showed that defensive ability against one of the region's hottest teams Wednesday, holding Pittsburg State scoreless for the final 87 minutes after the Gorillas entered the match having scored 11 goals through their first two contests.
Quincy will look to slow a McKendree offense led by Mauch while generating more scoring opportunities of its own.
Rheinheimer has led the Hawks' attack early this season, scoring twice through the opening three matches, while Quincy will look for additional options to emerge as the Hawks search for their first victory.
Last year's scoreless draw showed how closely the two teams can match up defensively, and Sunday's contest provides both programs an opportunity to gain an early advantage in the GLVC standings.
Kickoff between Quincy and No. 22 McKendree is scheduled for 5 PM Sunday, September 6, at Leemon Field in Lebanon, Illinois.
GLVCSN
Live Stats
Game Three Box Score vs. Pittsburg State
