Ashby’s corner kick enables QU men’s soccer team to snare first victory of season

QUINCY — George Ashby’s first career goal is going to be tough to top.

After the Quincy University men’s soccer team surrendered two goals in the second half of Sunday’s non-conference game against Upper Iowa, Ashby rescued the Hawks from a third consecutive draw in dramatic fashion.

On a corner kick with less than two minutes remaining in regulation, the freshman midfielder curled the ball from the left corner into the far side netting, lifting Quincy to a 3-2 victory at Legends Stadium. His first career goal gave the Hawks (1-1-2) their first victory of the season.

The Hawks controlled play throughout the first half, building a 2-0 lead by intermission.

Macker Little scored on a header off a Ben Scotford assist in the seventh minute, and Nick Chapman made it 2-0 with an unassisted goal in the 17th minute. Quincy outshot Upper Iowa 6-3 in the first half.

The Peacocks responded by scoring on two of their three shots on goal in the second half. Kehinde Afolabi scored in the 65th minute, and Dexter Garrett scored the equalizer in the 87th minute.

Just 74 seconds later, Ashby answered and potentially changed the course of the season.

The Hawks wrap up non-conference play with a trip to Wichita, Kan., on Wednesday to face Carson Newman before opening Great Lakes Valley Conference play at home against Drury next Sunday.