Energetic Hawks ready to go on attack in pursuit of longer postseason run

QUINCY — From an outside perspective, the Quincy University women’s soccer team exceeded expectations in the spring by reaching the semifinals of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament.

Internally, even that wasn’t good enough.

“All of our returners are mad they did not do one better last year,” Hawks coach Samuel Thomas said. “That is a fire we are happy to feed and continue to fuel.”

Stoke it enough and championship aspirations become a reality.

The Hawks were picked sixth in the preseason poll of the GLVC coaches, largely because of the graduation loss of two of their top three scorers from last season and an influx of talent yet to be seen on the pitch. The Hawks are OK with that because they understand they have to earn the victories and the respect.

“This is a group that is ambitious and has set high goals for themselves because they know what they’re potential is,” Thomas said. “We have a group that is so competitive and is a blast to be around. It’s exciting to look at our potential to do one better.

“There’s a long way to go to get there, but we have the right mindset and we’re on the right track to get there.”

Senior forward Lauren Crane is the lone holdover from the trio of goal scorers QU employed last spring. She had four goals and two assists in the spring and has collected 14 goals and eight assists in her career.

Give junior Jessica Felix and sophomore Sophia Bonaldi more time as a target striker — neither played that role until last year — and the healthy return of sophomore Aliyah Rottger should make the Hawks more dangerous. It gives Crane plenty of others to connect with.

“We are deep in goal threats this year,” Thomas said.

Two transfers — sophomore Jerriah Kelly and junior Sami Alvarado — are what Thomas termed as “true attackers.”

It should make the Hawks more dangerous.

“The struggle for us as a coaching staff is looking down our bench and seeing so many goal scorers on our bench and trying to figure out how to get them all in the game,” Thomas said. “We have a luxury of riches at this point.”

Defensively, there is plenty of experience and depth, too.

Paige Anderson and Hannah Warnecke are high-level center backs. Sophomore Morgan Evans helps control the midfield. Three goalkeepers are capable of being brick walls when needed.

It all sets up for success, and Friday is the starting point.

The Hawks open their season at Davenport in Grand Rapids, Mich., the first of a two-game swing against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foes. After two exhibition games, Thomas is encouraged and anxious to get started. 

“We’re narrowing our focus each week,” he said. “The energy was a wonderful first sign to see. We just have to carry it over.”