Second-half goal pushes Edwardsville past Quincy in Class 3A regional semifinals

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — As the scoring chances continued to pile up despite no change in the scoreboard, Edwardsville freshman Mea Hook said the team wasn’t panicking.

“It wasn’t frustrating. We weren’t mad about it. It was more aggravating,” Hook said.

The aggravation turned to celebration when Hook scored the game’s lone goal in the 53rd minute to lift the Edwardsville girls soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Quincy High School in the Class 3A Collinsville Sectional semifinals Tuesday inside Kahok Stadium.

It was the ninth win in the last 10 games for the Tigers.

“It’s about surviving and moving on,” Edwardsville coach Abby Federmann said. “We had plenty of opportunities. We just couldn’t get the finishes. We probably had 20 shots and crosses.”

The third-seeded Tigers (12-8) will meet the second-seeded Alton Redbirds (17-4) in the regional championship game at 5 p.m. Friday.

Alton (17-4) defeated No. 7 Collinsville 3-0 with goals from Maddie Cooke, Katie Baker and Lily Freer.

Sixth-seeded Quincy ends its season at 12-7-1.

“I’m super proud of the effort the girls gave. They battled until the end,” Quincy coach Travis Dinkheller said. “Kudos to Edwardsville. They are a great team.”

Despite Edwardsville controlling possession throughout the first half, the teams went into halftime scoreless.

The scoring chances continued to add up for the Tigers, who finally got on the scoreboard on a shot from Hook. It was her third goal of the season and second in as many games.

Hook’s shot, to the right of Quincy keeper Taylor Fohey, stayed low.

“Payton had the ball and volleyed it to me. I took a touch around and snuck it under the keeper,” Hook said. “I knew with her being a talented keeper, especially on her feet, that the best way to get it past her would be to go under her. It just worked.”

It was a relief for Edwardsville.

“We needed that,” Federmann said.

After Hook’s goal put Edwardsville ahead, the Tigers continued to pressure but couldn’t find a second goal.

“We settled down in the second half and started playing our game. Quincy is blue-collar. It works hard and plays big. We were a bit reactive in that first half,” Federmann said.

For Quincy, the 1-0 setback could have been worse if not for solid defensive effort and the play of Fohey, who made 15 saves.

“We’ve had a bend but not break mentality with our defense. They kind of took it to us the first 10 minutes and we had to adjust on the fly and change our formation to put support in the middle,” Dinkheller said. “They are a good team. They attack with numbers and shoot frequently from anywhere.”

Kaitlyn Naney earned the shutout for Edwardsville. She made two saves.

“Naney came up big with the shutout. She made two big saves, including on the free kick in the first half,” Federmann said.

Edwardsville has won four straight regional championships.