QU women’s soccer team breaks through, scores two second-half goals for first victory

QUINCY — First, tears fell. Then, a little disbelief. Finally, total elation.

That’s how Sunday afternoon evolved for first-year Quincy University women’s soccer coach Mackenzie Schissel and her entire team.

Held scoreless through the first six regular season games, the Hawks ended that drought when senior forward Jessica Felix scored 18 seconds after Missouri S&T had taken a one-goal lead, drilling a shot into the upper left side of the net with 32 minutes remaining in regulation.

“I cried,” Schissel said.

Things got better. Following a Miners foul near midfield in the 85th minute, Hawks defender Hannah Warnecke drove the ball into the box where it bounced between two defenders, allowing Ella Wolfard to head it into space. She stepped to the ball and used her right foot to redirect it past the charging goalkeeper for the game-winning goal in a 2-1 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory at Legends Stadium.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Schissel said.

The Hawks’ attitude made it possible.

“There was belief in their voices and in their intentions,” Schissel said.

It gave the Hawks (1-3-3, 1-1-1 GLVC) the end result that could change the trajectory of their season.