2024 Quincy High School Hall of Fame inductee: 1994 boys soccer team

Editor’s Note: Quincy High School will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. Below is the biography used by the QHS Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees.

QUINCY — The stingiest team in the history of the Quincy High School boys soccer program left a legacy that will be difficult to match.

The 1994 team became the first and only QHS team to finish the regular season undefeated, finishing 20-1-2 following a Class AA sectional semifinal loss to United Township. The 20 victories made this the first 20-win team in program history and only three others have reached that plateau.

The Blue Devils allowed just six goals in the regular season and seven overall, the fewest in program history. Ron Bridal, an all-state goalkeeper, set single-season school records for shutouts with 17 and goals allowed with seven. He also finished his career with 39 shutouts, which ranks among the top 20 in IHSA history.

Travis Dinkheller, a senior stopper, earned all-sectional honors from the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Offensively, the Blue Devils were the third highest-scoring team in program history, netting 108 goals while winning a Western Big 6 Conference championship and a Class AA regional crown. Everette Abbey, a junior on the 1994 team, earned All-Midwest and all-state honors for the second straight season as he scored 28 goals.

The roster featured Ron Bridal, Chris Goodwin, Jerry Gallaher, T.J. Spohr, Michael Carder, Brandon Zimmerman, Travis Cottrell, Ryan Speckhart, Brad Hultz, Scott Schutte, Casey Otten, Harrison Lane, Kevin Howser, Jeremy Harvey, Colin Ash, Ryan Thomas, Donivan Bradshaw, Travis Dinkheller, Everett Abbey, Andy Ippensen, Chris Martin, Ryan Keck and Jason Nuttelman. 

The Blue Devils were coached by Matt Longo, George Nelson, Dick Stewart, Andy Nelson and Bill Sanders. The managers were Amanda Keck, Evanne Mast, Bruce Wyckoff and Chuck Hageman.

The 1994 boys soccer team joins the 1995 and 1987 soccer teams in the Hall of Fame.