Right reactions to challenges keep Blue Devils undefeated in WB6 play

QUINCY — The reaction and retaliation is something Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis DInkheller appreciates.

Rock Island Alleman scored three minutes into the second half of Tuesday’s Western Big 6 Conference clash at Flinn Stadium, cutting the Quincy lead in half. Less than 10 minutes later, the advantage was back to two goals.

Bri Lannerd headed home a Rian Moore corner kick with 28 minutes to play and the Blue Devils clamped down defensively to finish off a 3-1 victory.

“We responded, and that’s the good thing,” Dinkheller said. “This group of girls has been really good at responding to those situations. It’s a credit to them.”

It sets up a winner-take-all showdown with United Township for the WB6 title on Saturday in East Moline. Both teams are 6-0 in league play after the Panthers (10-1-2) beat Galesburg 7-0 on Tuesday night.

First, the Blue Devils (10-3-2) had to get past Alleman, which was the Class 1A state runner-up last season and a No. 1 regional seed this year. There also is Thursday’s crosstown showdown with Quincy Notre Dame, which will also be a Pink Night for breast cancer awareness.

Tuesday was Senior Night with the Blue Devils applauding the careers of 10 soon-to-be graduates..

“You want to celebrate the seniors and an outstanding group of young ladies,” Dinkheller said. “The festivities and the locker room decorations and everything were just awesome. But you always worry when the routine is changed about how they are going to respond.”

They responded with vigor.

The Blue Devils scored twice with Lannerd, a senior midfielder, and Taylor Routh, a senior forward, both netting goals. Moore and Avery Morrison had the assists. Lannerd also had a header which went into the goal disallowed because of a foul.

“We had two nice goals and tons of opportunities,” Dinkheller said. “We put a lot of pressure on them in the first half. Their goalkeeper was up to the task.”

Ultimately, the Blue Devils found a way to score and to thrive.

“A lot of good things happened tonight,” Dinkheller said.