Photo gallery: QND girls soccer team surrenders late goal in 1-0 loss to Springfield

May 1, 2023 | By Matt Schuckman, Sports Editor

Quincy Notre Dame forward Makayla Patton, left, fights with Springfield midfielder Bridget Lyons during Monday's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — In need of building momentum before the postseason begins, the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team had ample chances in the second half Monday against Springfield to snare the lead and pull out a victory.

Instead, the Raiders got burned on a counterattack.

The Senators scored with 2 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in regulation to earn a 1-0 victory at Advance Physical Therapy Field. The Raiders have two regular-season games remaining — Wednesday against Jacksonville and Thursday against Quincy High School — before beginning Class 1A postseason play in the Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin Regional on May 9.

“We need to keep our confidence up,” QND senior forward Lia Quintero said. “I felt like we were just kind of sluggish this game, and we can’t be that way going into the postseason. Wednesday, we can use that game to get our pep back up before QHS.”

If the defending Class 1A state champions can generate some momentum, anything is possible in the postseason.

“These games are obviously important, and if we play well, that can definitely push us into the postseason on a good note,” Quintero said. “Ultimately, it’s the postseason that really matters. These can’t be things we let hang over our shoulder because it’s not going to do us any good.”

Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time at Advance Physical Therapy Field on Monday and put together this photo gallery: