College notebook: Anderson nets first goal, McCulla makes charge, King playing big for Mules’ defense

ST. LOUIS — The most prolific goal scorer in the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer program’s history is on the board in college now.

Tanner Anderson, the two-time QND all-stater and freshman at Saint Louis University, scored his first career goal for the Billikens last Saturday night in a 2-0 victory over Rhode Island in Atlantic 10 Conference play at Hermann Stadium.

Anderson scored off an assist from Cole Dougherty in the 87th minute to seal the victory. It was one of two shots Anderson had in 23 minutes off the bench. He has played in all nine games for the Billikens (4-3-2, 2-0-1 A10) and is averaging 16.4 minutes. He is one of five SLU players with at least one goal this season.

The freshman played 17 minutes off the bench in a 1-1 tie with Missouri State last week, helping Anderson earn Atlantic 10 co-Rookie of the Week honors.

The Billikens are unbeaten in their last five matches and travel to George Washington for a 2 p.m. game Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

McCulla, Redbirds make late-round charge

VERONA, Wis. — Alex McCulla and his Illinois State University teammates saved their best golf for last.

McCulla birdied two of his final three holes Tuesday in the third round of the Badger Invitational and the Redbirds posted a 7-under 281 total, vaulting from 11 strokes off the pace to a runner-up finish at University Ridge Golf Course. Florida Gulf Coast won the team title with a 54-hole total of 851. ISU posted an 852, one of the 10 best tournament scores in program history.

McCulla, a junior and Quincy Notre Dame graduate, finished tied for fourth individually at 5-under 211 after shooting a 3-under 69 over the final 18 holes. McCulla opened the event with an even-par 72 and posted a 2-under 70 in the second round.

It is his second top-five finish of the season, and McCulla leads ISU with a 68.9 stroke average. He has played nine rounds this fall at a collective 2-under par.

King providing pressure for Mules

WARRENSBURG, Mo. — The University of Central Missouri football team continues to climb the national polls, and Palmyra product Weston King is playing a role in the Mules’ rise.

King had a sack, two tackles for loss, and three tackles total in last week’s 41-38 victory over Northwest Missouri State at Walton Stadium. The 6-foot-2, 286-pound defensive tackle has 16 tackles total in five games with three tackles for loss and team-leading two sacks.

The Mules, ranked 18th in both the AFCA poll and the D2football.com top 25, are 4-1 with the lone loss a one-point setback against Pittsburg State.

Arnold, Mettemeyer in top 10 at MWAC tourney

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Two area golfers finished in the top 10 at the Mid-West Athletic Conference men’s tournament and helped Danville Area Community College to a runner-up finish at Crestwicke Country Club.

Liberty’s Blake Arnold and Quincy High School’s Luke Mettemeyer joined DACC teammate Grady Lancaster in the top 10 individually.

The Jaguars shot a 629 total over 36 holes, finishing second behind Parkland. The Cobras posted a 613 with the top three individuals in the field.

Murphy, Hasan keep Cougars unbeaten

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A pair of players with Quincy ties have helped the SIU-Edwardsville men’s soccer team to an unbeaten record heading into October.

Quincy Notre Dame graduate Mitchell Murphy and former Quincy University midfielder Alsadiq Hasan scored the first two goals in last week’s 6-0 victory at Southern Indiana and helped the Cougars to a 1-0 victory at Eastern Illinois to improve to 7-0-2 overall.

Murphy, an all-stater when he led QND to the Class 1A state championship in 2018, has two goals and one assist. He scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Saint Louis. Hasan transferred from QU after playing for the Hawks for three seasons, and he leads the Cougars with five goals overall and two game-winning goals.