Late goal forges tie, gives QU men’s soccer team hope of earning GLVC tourney spot

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s soccer team kept hope afloat on a variety of levels Sunday.

After surrendering a goal in the 88th minute to allow Lincoln to take a 3-2 lead, the Hawks’ Carlos Moreno Henso ripped a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area into the upper left corner of the net just 46 seconds later to salvage a 3-3 tie in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at Legends Stadium.

The result keeps the Hawks in contention for a spot in the GLVC Tournament.

With two regular-season games remaining, Quincy (5-7-3, 4-5-3 GLVC) are in a three-way tie for eighth place with Lincoln and Missouri-St. Louis. The top eight teams qualify for the postseason tournament, beginning Nov. 10. The semifinals and championship will be played at the Creve Coeur Park Soccer Complex in St. Louis.

Quincy closes the regular season with a pair of road games — Friday at McKendree and next Sunday at Maryville. The Bearcats and Saints have already qualified for the GLVC Tournament.

The Hawks could have been out of hope had they not overcome a two-goal halftime deficit.

The Blue Tigers’ Shandee Brooks scored a pair of goals 11 minutes apart midway through the first half, but the Hawks responded with Gavin Higgins scoring in the 49th minute and Joao Pedro Amaral converting in the 76th minute to tie the match at 2.

It stayed that way until the final two minutes of fireworks.

Meanwhile, the QU women’s soccer team finds itself in a similar position.

The Hawks have gone 3-1-1 in their last five games to climb into a three-way tie for eighth place in the GLVC standings following Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Lincoln in GLVC play at Legends Stadium.

Quincy (4-8-3, 4-5-3 GLVC) is tied with Truman State and Upper Iowa for the final spot in the GLVC Tournament field. The Hawks close the season against McKendree, which is in third place, and league leader Maryville.

Ella Wolfard gave the Hawks a cushion by scoring a pair of first-half goals, while Lisa Albarran and Daniella Segall scored eight minutes apart in the second half.