QUINCY, Ill. — Second-seeded and ninth-ranked Quincy scored the go-ahead goal with less than 10 minutes remaining and held on for a 2-1 victory over the sixth-seeded Bellarmine University women's soccer team on Saturday at Legends Stadium in the second round of the DII NCAA Tournament.
Freshman midfielder
Natalie Teo scored off a double assist from junior defender
Polly Marino and sophomore forward
Olivia Taylor for Bellarmine, which ended the season 8-4-7. The Knights competed in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time since 2009. They had played to a scoreless tie with Quincy in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament semifinals and fell 1-0 in overtime to the Hawks in the regular season.
"I thought that was a fantastic college soccer game and by far the most entertaining of the three we played," Bellarmine Coach
Chris Tinius said. "Congratulations to Quincy. They were the stronger and better team over the totality of the 90 minutes, and we wish them all the best next weekend."
Quincy (17-3-1), the GLVC regular-season champion, got a first-half goal from Natalie Quisenberry and a second-half score from Cassidy Foley. The Hawks became only the second team this season to score more than one goal against Bellarmine, with Wisconsin-Parkside doing it all the way back on Sept. 29.
In fact, scoring twice against Bellarmine's vaunted defense is a veritable offensive explosion. The Knights, who carry the nation's second-best goals-against average, entered the NCAA Midwest Region semifinals riding an eight-game shutout streak. Quincy became the first opponent to score against the Knights since the Hawks did it in the regular season on Oct. 8.
Bellarmine's shutout streak was snapped in the 18th minute as Quisenberry, from the left side, drove a corner kick toward the back post that curled into the net for a 1-0 lead. It was her first goal of the season.
Bellarmine struggled to create chances in the second half, but the Knights perfectly executed on an opportunity in the 64th minute. Marino directed a pass inside the box to Taylor, who then tapped it backward to Teo at the top of the box. She ripped the tying goal inside the far post. It was Teo's second goal of the season.
Quincy went back ahead as the clock wound down under 10 minutes. Foley converted a cross for the go-ahead goal, with a double assist credited to Allison Birke and Maddy Kuhlenberg. It was Foley's seventh goal of the year and stood as the game-winner. The Hawks finished with a 22-5 advantage in shots, including 8-2 on goal.
"It was a tale of two halves for us," Tinius said. "We talked about not just being happy to be here or that we advanced one round, but we came out flat. We had an early chance cleared off the line, and they jumped all over us. On the other hand, I couldn't be more proud of the way we reacted in the second half. We made a few adjustments, and our kids took to them very well. We scored one of best goals of the season to get back in it. Then Quincy did what great teams do and answered back with the winner."
Bellarmine's defense set a program record this season for shutouts (13) and fewest goals allowed (eight).
"We need to thank a lot of people," Tinius said. "First, I want to thank our players for all their hard work. I also want to thank all of our support staff that work hard for our kids every day. Our parents and fans are also great with their support all year. Quincy and the NCAA reps did a great job hosting this weekend, so we owe them thanks as well. I also need to thank my wife. We have a three-month-old at home that was born on the first day of preseason. She's done a lot of hard work while I've run around all fall, and I'm forever grateful for that."
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