Four goals in final weekend helps Crane earn offensive player of week honors in GLVC

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Lauren Crane of the Quincy University women’s soccer team won Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors, the league office announced on Monday. The senior attacker scored four goals during the final weekend of the season and recorded a hat trick against SBU on Sunday. 

“It is really exciting, and I feel like a lot of credit should go to everyone else on the team,” Crane said.

The O’Fallon, Mo., native finished the regular season with seven goals and two assists in the team’s final six games. That includes a three-goal performance to finish the regular season on Sunday in the Hawks’ 6-0 victory over Southwest Baptist. 

“Beyond just Sunday’s performance, Lauren has been a consistent presence in every game this season. Her willingness to work defensively matches her offensive output,” QU coach Samuel Thomas said. “All of her accolades for goals scored, she puts immediately back on her teammates.” 

After the Hawks went on a five-game losing streak, they ended the year winning four of their final six games.  

“There was a point in the season where we needed to win,” said Crane about her strong finish to the season.

Three of Crane’s seven goals during the final six games were game-winners.

The Hawks averaged a GLVC-best 1.81 goals per game this season. Crane was toward the top of the conference in shots, goals, assists, game-winners and points. Crane led the GLVC with 10 goals in conference play and was tied for the most game-winners as well.

Crane earned All-GLVC second team honors last spring. She was named the GLVC Co-Freshman of the Year and was an All-GLVC third team selection after the 2018 season. Despite the honors and accolades, Crane left an impact because of her character and the desire to help others.

After scoring two goals in the first seven minutes of the regular-season finale on Sunday at Southwest Baptist, Crane had an opportunity for more. However, freshman Samaris Alvarado earned a penalty kick in the 33^rd minute and buried the shot. Crane, who is designated to take penalties for QU, deferred the responsibility to her teammate. 

Crane scored a few minutes later to secure the first half hat trick. It came on a tap-in goal on a shot from Alvarado. 

“It is emblematic of her character. She put someone else first and let Sammi take what she earned,” Thomas said. 

The same thing happened in the second half when Morgan Evans earned a penalty kick and buried it to give QU a 5-0 lead in the 70^th minute.

“She 100 percent earned it. They were working their butts off all game,” said Crane, who potentially could have had a historic five-goal game.

Crane successfully converted on six penalty shots on seven attempts during her career.

“I switched up the side I was taking them from,” said Crane, “and I was given a lot of trust and confidence from my coaches and teammates.”

Crane finished her career with 25 goals and 12 assists. She scored nine game-winners during her tenure with the Hawks.

“A lot of it has to do with mentality — not just mine but the whole team,” said Crane about the game-winning goals.

Crane’s 25 goals is the most by a player after a career with the Hawks since Ashley Burton (2012-15) finished with 41 in 2015. Her 25 career goals is 11^th most in program history. Her 62 career points is just outside the top-ten all-time as well.

“It’s meant everything to me,” said Crane. “I never thought I’d end up with a career like this one.”

Crane scored 11 goals (to rank 23^rd in the NCAA) in 16 games played this season, good for 0.6875 goals per game. Crane’ scored more goals this season than the team leaders in 2019 and 2020 combined.

Crane led the team in 2018 with seven goals in 18 games. It was the most goals scored in a single season by a Hawk since 2015 when Ashley Burton netted 14 in 21 games. Abby Pulliam had 11 in 22 games during the 2015 campaign. Crane’s goals per game average this season still exceeds that mark. Her goals per game average is the most goals scored per game since the 2006 season when Becky Flemming scored 19 goals in 21 games (.90 goals/game).

“I give all the credit to God,” she said. “I feel very undeserving. Being in the position I was in with the family and support I have is unbelievable and very awesome.”