Thunderstorms put outcome of Hawks’ game against Cardinals in limbo

QUINCY — Sunday afternoon’s blast of lightning, thunder and rain put the outcome of the Quincy University men’s soccer team’s Great Lakes Valley Conference game against William Jewell in limbo.

The Hawks and Cardinals were scoreless at halftime at Legends Stadium when impending storms forced game personnel to clear the stands and keep both teams in their locker rooms. The delay lasted nearly two hours before William Jewell packed its gear and headed home to Liberty, Mo.

The Cardinals tweeted, “Today’s game has ended due to weather. With less than 70 minutes played it is deemed a no contest and will not count towards official team records or statistics.”

That’s not entirely true.

Hawks coach Mike Carpenter said Monday morning the game could be replayed early next week if the outcome is vital to the final GLVC standings. The Hawks are 6-6-2 overall and 4-5-2 in the league and sit in ninth place with 14 points, according to the points rating system used to determine the eight teams qualifying for the GLVC Tournament.

Teams receive three points for every conference victory and one point for a tie. Had the Hawks won Sunday’s game, they would positioned themselves better to challenge for the seventh or eighth seed. Missouri-St. Louis and Lindenwood are tied for seventh with 19 points.

All three teams have two regular-season games remaining. Quincy travels to fourth-place Drury and last-place Southwest Baptist this weekend. UMSL (7-6-1, 6-5-1 GLVC) faces sixth-place McKendree and 11th-place Southern Indiana both at home, while Lindenwood (6-6-1, 6-5-1 GLVC) takes on first-place Indianapolis and Southern Indiana at home.

After those games are played, it will be determined if the outcome of the Quincy-William Jewell game could impact the standings. If so, they likely will play next Tuesday or Wednesday. The GLVC Tournament begins November 7.

“Quite frustrating,” Carpenter said.