Raiders’ Cann gives QND boys soccer program 10 straight seasons with all-state honoree

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Leo Cann became the Raiders' 10th all-state selection in the last 10 seasons and finished his career with 69 career goals. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Leo Cann makes it a perfect 10. The senior forward on the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team received all-state honors from the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association, marking the 10th straight season a QND player has earned all-state plaudits. “That’s a pretty good run,” QND coach Greg Reis said. Cann led…

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Schuckman: Rock-solid foundation for success helps Hynek and son experience magical run

Peoria Christian coach Cory Hynek, a Quincy High School graduate, will lead the Chargers into Saturday's Class 1A super-sectional against Johnsburg while seeking the program's third final four appearance in his 17 seasons as head coach. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — All Cory Hynek could do was laugh. In the days leading up to Wednesday’s Class 1A Chillicothe Sectional championship against defending state champion Quincy Notre Dame, the Peoria Christian boys soccer coach was approached by teachers within the school asking why the players had rocks on their desks. “I knew our guys…

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‘Soul-crushing goal’ enables Chargers to upend Raiders, end defense of QND’s state title

Quincy Notre Dame midfielder Rylan Fischer, right, goes flying after battling for possession with Peoria Christian's Myles Zimmerman during Wednesday night's Class 1A sectional championship in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The response was swift, sudden and significant. “That was a bit of a soul-crushing goal,” Quincy Notre Dame’s Mason Monteyne said. Title-dashing, too. In the 14th minute of Wednesday night’s Class 1A Chillicothe IVC Sectional championship, senior forward Leo Cann gave the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team a 2-1 lead over…

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Photo gallery: QND, Peoria Christian clash in Class 1A boys soccer sectional championship

Peoria Christian's Caden Schmidgall, left, keeps the ball inbounds while being pressured by Quincy Notre Dame's Mason Monteyne during Wednesday night's Class 1A sectional championship in Chillicothe, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The reign is over. The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team, the defending Class 1A state champion, was eliminated from the postseason Wednesday night, losing 5-2 to Peoria Christian in the championship game of the Class 1A Chillicothe Sectional. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was at IVC High School and put…

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Show Me Spotlight: Janes helping guide Pirates to continued success on pitch

Hannibal senior defender Thomas Janes is hoping to help the Pirates win a district championship after guiding them to an undefeated run through the North Central Missouri Conference. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Thomas Janes understood his role when the season began, and it had far less to do with creating or denying scoring opportunities than it did with keeping the Hannibal boys soccer team on course. Graysen Crabill found himself in the same situation. The two senior defenders are the only upperclassmen on a…

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Max-imum effort: Frericks’ save on first PK in shootout carries QND to sectional semifinal win

Quincy Notre Dame goalkeeper Max Frericks dives over the top of Mendota's Isaac Diaz to make the save during the second half of Saturday's Class 1A sectional semifinal in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The value of Max Frericks’ presence in goal can’t be overstated or undersold. He’s a game changer. The Mendota boys soccer team became the latest to realize so Saturday in a penalty-kick shootout to decide who plays for a Class 1A sectional championship. The 6-foot-3 Quincy Notre Dame senior goalkeeper stopped the…

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Photo gallery: QND upends Mendota in Class 1A boys soccer sectional semifinals

Quincy Notre Dame's Leo Cann, left, boots a ball past Mendota defender Kaleb Kleckner during Saturday's Class 1A sectional semifinal in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — One hundred minutes Saturday afternoon wasn’t enough for either the Quincy Notre Dame or Mendota boys soccer team to can any separation. So the recent postseason nemesis went to a penalty kick shootout to decide who advanced. The Raiders won the shootout 4-1, giving them a 3-2 victory and a spot in Wednesday’s…

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IHSA nullifies red card issued to QND goalkeeper, making Frericks eligible for sectional semifinal

Quincy Notre Dame senior goalkeeper Max Frericks will play in Saturday's sectional semifinal after the Illinois High School Association overturned the red card he was issued in the regional championship game against Monmouth-Roseville. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Illinois High School Association promotes a sportsmanship program entitled “Do What’s Right!” Thursday, the IHSA followed its own motto and did the right thing. IHSA executive director Craig Anderson and assistant executive director Beth Sauser acknowledged the red card issued to QND goalkeeper Max Frericks during the second of the boys soccer…

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‘Sully’ disposition: Sophomore midfielder’s goal gives QND halftime edge en route to regional title

Quincy Notre Dame's Elliott Hendrian, right, slaps hands with Sullivan Walker after Walker scored late in the first half for the Raiders' first goal in a 5-2 victory over Monmouth-Roseville in the Class 1A regional championship game at Pattee Fields in Monmouth, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MONMOUTH, Ill. — What Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer coach Greg Reis preaches in practice seems to resonate with his players. At the very least, sophomore midfielder Sullivan “Sully” Walker is listening. “(Reis) has been telling me ever since I scored my first goal to crash the goalie because you’re always there to make something…

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Interpretation of ‘ball in hand’ rule results in red card for QND goalkeeper, could keep Frericks out of sectional semifinal

Quincy Notre Dame senior goalkeeper Max Frericks picks up a ball rolling toward him during Wednesday's Class 1A regional championship against Monmouth-Roseville at Pattee Fields in Monmouth, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MONMOUTH, Ill. — The definition of a “ball in hand” is going to determine if Max Frericks will be the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team’s starting goalkeeper come Saturday. Right now, sophomore Carter Hankins needs to be ready to fill that role. Frericks, the senior goalkeeper who was the backstop on last year’s Class…

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Schuckman: Rule keeping Illinois prep soccer team from playing in postseason needs to change

The Quincy High School boys soccer team received 15 yellow cards in its first 10 games, but didn't approach the threshold of 25 yellow cards that would have led to a postseason ban.

QUINCY — A 3-0 loss to Collinsville in the Class 3A regional semifinals Tuesday night brought the Quincy High School boys soccer team’s season to an end one game into the postseason. If only Mundelein Carmel could have been so lucky. The Corsairs are watching the postseason unfold instead of playing in it. Had things…

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No Reis, no worries: Raiders open state title defense with whitewashing of Tornadoes

The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team looks to capitalize on a ball played into the box during Saturday's Class 1A regional semifinal against Abingdon-Avon in Monmouth, Ill. | Photo courtesy Frank Cann

MONMOUTH, Ill. — If Greg Reis had any long-distance concerns, all he would have had to do is pull out his phone and take one glance at social media to alleviate them quite quickly. The updates, like the goals, came fast and furious. The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer coach missed Saturday’s postseason opener in…

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Yo, Adrian: Sommers’ goal, stronger second-half play helps Blue Devils win home finale

Quincy High School's Trace Routh uses his head to redirect a corner kick toward the goal during the first half of Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Geneseo at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — At every turn Tuesday night, the Quincy High School boys soccer players caught a glimpse of the program’s storied past. From Dev Reeves, arguably the most significant player in program history, to Donivan Bradshaw, one of the Blue Devils’ greatest scorers, to Jay Ray and his son, J.D., the first father-son combo to…

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Photo gallery: QHS boys soccer team beats Geneseo in final home game of regular season

Quincy High School's Andrew Brown wins a ball in the air during the first half of Tuesday night's game against Geneseo at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys soccer team ran its win streak to four consecutive games in its final home game of the regular season, beating Geneseo 3-1 in Western Big 6 Conference action Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium. The Blue Devils (8-10-1) wrap up their season on the road Thursday against Springfield. Muddy…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Jumping around, getting dirty enables Bridal to be Blue Devils’ stonewall

Ron Bridal, who played goalkeeper for Quincy High School from 1992-94, recorded a school record 39 career shutouts. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame

This is the 11th and final installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Ron Bridal, Goalkeeper, Class of 1995 QUINCY — The opportunity to coach not only the Quincy…

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No cramping his style: Dede scores game-winner as Blue Devils fend off Raiders in city rivalry game

Quincy High School's Andrew Brown hugs teammate Nolan Dede after Dede scored the go-ahead goal in Thursday night's 3-2 victory over Quincy Notre Dame at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Nolan Dede wanted to join the celebration, but that required getting to his feet and ignoring his cramping right calf. “It was such a conflict of emotions,” he said. “There was the pain and there was the excitement.” And there was the magnitude of the moment. Dede’s header off an Evan Sohn restart…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND boys soccer teams split city series

Quincy High School defender Nolan Dede, left, tries to take away any attack angle from Quincy Notre Dame striker Leo Cann during Thursday night's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The seniors on the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer teams had different goals in mind Thursday night. The Blue Devils sought their first victory in the city series during the seniors’ four-year careers, while the Raiders’ Class of 2024 was looking to stay undefeated. Nolan Dede’s second-half goal tipped…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Buying in early put Forbes on path to becoming dynamite defender

An all-state selection as a senior, Quincy High School sweeper Zach Forbes helped the Blue Devils post 14 shutouts and allow just 10 goals in 23 games during the 2009 season. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame

This is the 10th installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Zach Forbes, Defender, Class of 2010 QUINCY — Three years before Zach Forbes reached high school, the evolution…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Absorbing coaching enables Evans to elevate himself, teammates

Jerrod Evans established himself as a three-year starter and an all-sectional defender during his soccer career at Quincy High School. | Submitted photo

This is the ninth installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Jerrod Evans, Defender, Class of 1991 QUINCY — Matt Longo sensed there was something unique about Jerrod Evans’…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Ability to communicate, control back line led to Higgins’ historic career

Curtis Higgins was a two-time Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-state selection and a two-time National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Midwest selection while starring as a defender for the Quincy High School boys soccer program. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame

This is the eighth installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Curtis Higgins, Defender, Class of 1993 QUINCY — You might say Curtis Higgins’ pride had doubled. Truthfully, it…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Sohn’s control of pace and play leads to magical state run by Blue Devils

J.D. Sohn, right, helped the Quincy High School boys soccer team reach the Class 3A state championship game in 2015 and the second-place finish is the highest in program history. | Submitted photo

This is the seventh installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. J.D. Sohn, Midfielder, Class of 2017 QUINCY — J.D. Sohn looked around and saw elation through his tear-filled…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Berry becomes maestro at midfield in leading Blue Devils to state tourney

As a senior starting midfielder on the 1987 Quincy High School boys soccer team, Steve Berry, third from left in the back row, led the Blue Devils to the state quarterfinals. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame

This is the sixth installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Steve Berry, Midfielder, Class of 1988 QUINCY — The summer before his first season as Quincy High School…

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Photo gallery: John Burroughs scores three second-half goals to upend QND soccer team

Quincy Notre Dame forward Leo Cann, right, pushes the ball wide of John Burroughs defender Cooper Desloge during Thursday's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The John Burroughs boys soccer team presented another challenge in what already has been a tasking schedule for Quincy Notre Dame, and the Raiders put the Bombers on their heels in the first half Thursday night at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Leo Cann and Nolan Heck scored in the final 15 minutes of…

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Pirates’ resolve leads to right answer in erasing deficit against Blue Devils

Hannibal goalkeeper Clayton Neisen, left, grabs the ball over Thomas Janes during Thursday night’s game against Quincy High School at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal boys soccer team continues to prove it has the resolve to answer any setback. Thursday night at Veterans Field, the Pirates answered with a pair of goals. After allowing Quincy High School to score on a penalty kick and a corner kick to take a 2-1 lead midway through the…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Playing up paves way for Sandercock’s Hall of Fame career

Jim Sandercock earned all-state honors in 1982 after helping the Quincy High School boys soccer team to a 15-5-2 record and No. 2 state ranking as a senior. | Photo courtesy QHS Hall of Fame

This is the fifth installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Jim Sandercock, Midfielder, Class of 1983 QUINCY — There was an opening on an older youth soccer team…

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Blue Devils suffer third straight loss, fall to Maroons in key WB6 matchup

Moline defender Karinton Djikpe, left, and Quincy High School forward Josh Stupavsky battle to win a ball in the air during the first half of Tuesday's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — So often in the wake of a loss, it becomes easy to play a game of “what if.” For example, what if Josh Stupavsky’s shot 36 seconds into Tuesday night’s Western Big 6 Conference boys soccer game had hit the inside of the left post and kicked into the goal? Instead, it hit…

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Photo gallery: QHS soccer team battles Moline for top spot in Western Big 6

Quincy High School defender Asher Otten, left, and goalkeeper Lucas Shepherd get ready for the start of Tuesday's Western Big 6 Conference match against Moline at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Three games into the Western Big 6 Conference season, the Quincy High School boys soccer team finds itself needing a little help to retain the conference crown. The Blue Devils suffered a 2-1 loss to Moline on Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium, leaving the Maroons and United Township tied for the WB6 lead…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Deft touch, high IQ turn Reeves into one of Blue Devils’ greatest players

Dev Reeves graduated in 1985 as the Quincy High School boys soccer program's career scoring leader — he has since been passed on that list — and was a two-time all-state selection for the Blue Devils. | Submitted photo

This is the fourth installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Dev Reeves, Midfielder, Class of 1985 QUINCY — The debate over the best boys soccer player Quincy High…

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Prep soccer roundup: QHS falls at home, QND loses twice in tourney, Hannibal finishes second in Pirate Shootout

Quincy High School's Justin Dreyer, left, fights for possession during Saturday's game against O'Fallon at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — For 60 minutes, the Quincy High School boys soccer team played with the poise and passion that could make it a regional contender. The final 20 minutes, however, included miscues that resulted in another loss. O’Fallon scored twice in the closing stretch Saturday, pulling away for a 3-1 victory at Flinn Stadium. The…

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Anything you can do, Leo Cann do better: Senior forward’s hat trick lifts Raiders to victory over Blue Devils

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Leo Cann, right, hits a restart over the Quincy High School defensive wall and curls it into the net for the go-ahead goal in the Raiders' 4-2 victory Thursday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Leo Cann has played at Flinn Stadium only once each season throughout his high school soccer career. Yet, two of his most memorable moments happened on his rival’s home turf. As a sophomore, Cann scored the lone goal in the second half of the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team’s 1-0 victory against…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND boys soccer teams collide at Flinn Stadium

Quincy High School defender Nolan Dede goes airborne as QHS goalkeeper Lucas Shepherd covers a loose ball during Thursday night's game against Quincy Notre Dame at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The rivalry continues to be as strong as ever, and the passionate play proved that. The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer teams met for the 103rd time in their intra-city rivalry on Thursday night at Flinn Stadium, with the Raiders scoring three second-half goals to earn a 4-2 victory.…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Finding footing as freshman helps Smith become part of tradition

Jaeden Smith, left, scored 62 career goals and was a two-timeIllinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-state selection for the Quincy High School boys soccer team. | Submitted photo

This is the third installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Jaeden Smith, Forward, Class of 2019 QUINCY — Matt Longo had seen enough. Seven minutes into a game…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Work ethic enables Bradshaw to seize opportunity to be great

Donivan Bradshaw scored a single-season Quincy High School boys soccer program record 45 goals in 1995 before enjoying a decorated career at the University of Tulsa. | Photo courtesy Quincy Blue Devil Sports Hall of Fame

This is the second installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Donivan Bradshaw, Forward, Class of 1996 QUINCY — Donivan Bradshaw took a moment to pinpoint the right word…

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QHS All-Time Starting XI: Speed, skill allow Abbey to develop into dynamic scoring machine

Photos courtesy QHS Yearbook staff

This is the first installment in a series highlighting the Quincy High School boys soccer players the Muddy River Sports staff has named to the program’s all-time starting 11 in conjunction with the Blue Devils’ 50th season. Everette Abbey, Forward, Class of 1996 QUINCY — The curiosity of a coach led to Everette Abbey finally…

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Victory in WB6 opener is progress Blue Devils want to see, but they know more is needed

Quincy High School sophomore Trace Routh reacts to scoring during Tuesday night's 2-1 victory over Rock Island Alleman in the Western Big 6 Conference opener at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School boys soccer team is playing a game of progression. The rules are quite simple. Improve with every practice. “When you practice, you get a little better each time,” senior defender Nolan Dede said. By doing that, the Blue Devils believe they will hoist a trophy or plaque — maybe…

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Stingy Raiders keep Pirates at bay, make early score stand for one-goal victory

Quincy Notre Dame forward Leo Cann (No. 17) heads the ball into the net off a corner kick for the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Hannibal on Tuesday night at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal boys soccer team won every statistical category against Quincy Notre Dame in its home opener except one. The scoreboard. Senior forward Leo Cann scored off a Brody Jones corner kick 5 minutes, 48 seconds into the game and goalkeeper Max Frericks recorded 10 saves to enable the Raiders to withstand…

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Photo gallery: Two first-half goals carry QHS boys soccer team to victory in home opener

Quincy High School defender Justin Dreyer heads a ball out of danger during the first half of Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game against Rock Island Alleman at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — First-half goals by Evan Sohn and Trace Routh less than five minutes apart in the first half Tuesday night allowed the Quincy High School boys soccer team to earn a 2-1 victory over Rock Island Alleman in the home opener at Flinn Stadium. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Sschuckman put together this photo…

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Photo gallery: QND boys soccer team shuts out Hannibal despite Pirates’ barrage of shots

Hannibal’s Bodie Rollins, left, takes a shot during Tuesday night’s game against Quincy Notre Dame at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Quincy Notre Dame goalkeeper Max Frericks made 10 saves and was the backbone of a stingy defensive effort that resulted in a 1-0 victory over the Hannibal boys soccer team Tuesday night at Veterans Field. Freelance photographer Mathew Kirby put together this photo gallery from the game:

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Athletic directors, coaches preaching caution when dealing with opening-week heat wave

Quincy Notre Dame senior center Ben Schwartz takes a drink of water on the sideline during last Friday's scrimmage at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Experience has taught Matt McClelland to always err on the side of caution. That explains why the Quincy High School boys soccer team’s season opener Tuesday night against Jacksonville was postponed. No makeup date has been set yet, but the Blue Devils and Crimsons intend to play the game once this heat wave…

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Blue Devils ready to go on attack to pursue another WB6 crown and postseason success

Andrew Brown, left, will be one of the senior forwards asked to generate goals this season for the Quincy High School boys soccer team. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The loss of an all-state goal scorer could hinder or help the Quincy High School boys soccer team. It all depends on perspective. The way the Blue Devils view things, the graduation of midfielder Carter Venvertloh opens things up. Now playing at Quincy University, Venvertloh finished last season with 32 goals and tied…

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Raiders ready to meet challenges that come with being defending state champions

Quincy Notre Dame senior goalkeeper Max Frericks will be the Raiders' stopper as they attempt to defend their Class 1A state championship. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The hype began before the first practice took place. So the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players know what’s coming. The Raiders’ season opens Monday with an epic matchup — defending Class 1A state champion QND traveling to Peoria to face defending Class 2A state champion Peoria Notre Dame. The Irish have dubbed…

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Photo gallery: Action gets underway as Hannibal teams prepare for fall seasons

One of the Hannibal football players grabs a drink of water during a break in practice Monday morning at Porter Stadium. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A new year has begun. Award-winning freelance photographer Mathew Kirby spent Monday criss-crossing the Hannibal High School campus and venturing out to the Veterans Elementary sports complex as Hannibal teams opened fall practice. He even made it to Norwoods Golf Course for the girls golf team’s practice. Kirby put together this photo…

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Crim: Timing of Longo’s return to QHS soccer program is ‘as perfect as it could be’

Matt Longo, left, spent last fall as an assistant coach with the John Wood Community College men's soccer program. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Matt and Amy Longo decided to finally test the snowbird experience by spending January and February in southwestern Florida. They had the opportunity to play bingo, poker, shuffleboard and pickleball and develop friendships with other residents in a 55-and-older community. There were trips to the beach, to spring training baseball games and to…

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Anderson, Venvertloh uphold family traditions, receive all-state soccer honors

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Tanner Anderson delivers a corner kick during the Class 1A sectional semifinal against Serena in Mendota, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — All-state soccer honors are family traditions in the Anderson and Venvertloh households. The youngest brothers made sure tradition didn’t falter. Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Tanner Anderson and Quincy High School senior midfielder Carter Venvertloh recently were named to the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-state team, becoming the second and third…

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Photo gallery: QND welcomes home Class 1A boys soccer state championship squad

Tanner Anderson, left, carries the Class 1A state championship trophy into The Pit as the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team celebrated its title run with Tuesday's fire truck ride and assembly. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Greg Reis replaced his silver, postseason beard with a dapper, clean-shaven look in time for a celebration fit for champions. The veteran Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer coach allowed his facial hair to grow throughout the Raiders’ postseason run, which culminated with last Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Belleville Althoff in the Class 1A…

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Four-star rating: QND soccer team scores three times in second half to upend Althoff and win Class 1A state championship

Quincy Notre Dame players congregate on teammate Deakon Schuette (center) as they celebrate a goal during the second half of the Raiders’ 4-1 victory over Belleville Althoff in the Class 1A state championship game Saturday night at EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Four days ago, Tanner Anderson sat his bag down on the grass, laid the super-sectional plaque on top of it and stopped to oblige a media request. Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer coach Greg Reis suggested he’d take the plaque to the bus to expedite the Raiders’ departure, but Anderson intervened.…

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Schuckman: By choosing to be phenomenal, Raiders ensure they are never to be forgotten

Quincy Notre Dame teammates celebrate a goal by Tanner Anderson (center) on a penalty kick during the second half of the Raiders’ 4-1 victory over Belleville Althoff in the Class 1A state championship game Saturday night at EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Be phenomenal or be forgotten. Such an easy choice. “No one wants to live their life forgotten,” said Jake Hoyt, a senior center back on the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team. “Doesn’t everyone want to be phenomenal?” When Raiders coach Greg Reis posed that challenge to his team on the…

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Schuck on a Truck: QND boys soccer team celebrates Class 1A state championship

The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team climbed into the bed of Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman's truck after winning the Class 1A state championship to tape an episode of "Schuck on a Truck." | Muddy River Sports photo

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — They grew curious — possibly more concerned — whether the suspension on Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman’s pickup truck could hold the weight of the entire Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team piled into the truck’s bed. Much like the Raiders throughout the postseason, Schuck’s truck held up just fine.…

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Carpe diem: Anderson, Raiders seize opportunity to play for soccer state championship

The Quincy Notre Dame soccer players run over to acknowledge their fans after they defeated Elmhurst Timothy Christian 4-1 in a Friday's semifinal game of the Class 1A state tournament at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Opportunity may have passed Tanner Anderson by once. He vowed it wouldn’t happen twice. Belleville Althoff may want to take note of that. Anderson, a senior forward on the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team and the Raiders’ career leader in goals scored, missed his chance to play for a state…

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Call him what you will, but Schuette’s presence and restarts are making him name to remember

Quincy Notre Dame defender Deakon Schuette eyes an incoming ball in the air as he jostles with Elmhurst Timothy Christian midfielder Jake Firnsin during the Raiders' 4-1 victory in the Class 1A state semifinals Friday night at EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill. | Photo courtesy Tim Vizer Photography

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — An ongoing problem throughout the boys soccer postseason has been the inability of public address announcers to pronounce Deakon Schuette’s last name correctly. During the Class 1A Mendota Sectional, the Quincy Notre Dame senior defensive midfielder was referred to as “Shoot.” In the second half of Friday’s Class 1A state semifinal…

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Passing the baton: Seniors teach, mold underclassmen in order to sustain QND soccer legacy

Quincy Notre Dame freshman defender Channing Trevino, right, is part of the young cast of players responsible for taking this weekend's Class 1A state tournament experience and helping continue the QND boys soccer program's legacy in the future. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The nerves and excitement have been tempered some by contributing to the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team’s postseason run, but freshman defender Channing Trevino won’t soon forget the day he got his first start. “It was pretty exciting when against Normal U-High they said I was going to be starting,” Trevino said.…

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Running against the wind: QND capitalizes on directional decision, buries BCC with first-half onslaught to reach state final four

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Tanner Anderson reacts to a goal-scoring opportunity narrowly missed during the second half of Wednesday's Class 1A Chillicothe Super-Sectional against Bloomington Central Catholic in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — Mother Nature posed a challenge no matter which direction the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team chose to attack in the first half Wednesday night. Sun in the eyes or wind in the face. So Raiders coach Greg Reis asked goalkeepers coach Kasey Gerding for his opinion on which way to go.…

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Photo gallery: QND soccer team beats Bloomington Central Catholic in Class 1A super-sectional

Quincy Notre Dame's Jake Hoyt, left, marks a Bloomington Central Catholic attacker during Wednesday's Class 1A Chillicothe Super-Sectional in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team earned a spot in the state final four for the eighth time in program history, beating Bloomington Central Catholic 5-1 Wednesday night in the Class 1A Chillicothe Super-Sectional. The Raiders (17-6-2) advance to face Elmhurst Timothy Christian (16-9) at 7 p.m. Friday at the EastSide…

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Quiet assassins: QND soccer team turns laser focus into rout of Mendota for sectional title

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Tanner Anderson, left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his fourth goal during Saturday's 7-1 victory over Mendota in the Class 1A sectional championship game in Mendota, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MENDOTA, Ill. — Everything Greg Reis observed Saturday morning left him convinced the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players had the right disposition to run down a sectional championship. “We had a special energy when we went to mass and then went to breakfast,” the QND coach said. Yet, the tone seemed to change when…

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Photo gallery: Quincy Notre Dame beats Mendota for Class 1A boys soccer sectional championship

The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team celebrates the 16th sectional championship in program history after beating Mendota 7-1 Saturday in the Class 1A sectional title game in Mendota, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MENDOTA, Ill. — Gusting winds blowing right in the face of the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players did little to diminish the Raiders’ pursuit of a state championship. QND moved one step closer to that goal with a 7-1 victory over Mendota on Saturday in the Class 1A Mendota Sectional championship. Check out this…

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Road to redemption: QND takes first step to regaining sectional soccer championship

Teammates congratulate Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Leo Cann, left, after he scored the first goal in Wednesday's 9-2 victory over Serena in the Class 1A Mendota Sectional semifinals in Mendota, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MENDOTA, Ill. — There will come a time when the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players will appreciate and yearn for the opportunity to take an afternoon nap. It might happen Thursday. Following Wednesday night’s 9-2 shellacking of Serena in the Class 1A Mendota Sectional semifinals, the Raiders embarked on a four-hour charter bus ride…

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Late goal not enough to keep QHS boys soccer team’s season afloat in regional semifinal loss

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. — Carter Venvertloh gave the Quincy High School boys soccer team a chance for an epic rally. It just never materialized. Venvertloh, the senior forward, scored with 4:40 remaining in regulation to cut into top-seeded Collinsville’s three-goal lead in Wednesday night’s Class 3A regional semifinal at Kahok Stadium. However, the Blue Devils couldn’t…

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Raiders’ ability to deliver quick strikes ensures Huskers never gain traction in efforts to rally

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Tanner Anderson, center, puts a shot on goal in the first half of Wednesday's Class 1A Mendota Sectional semifinal against Serena in Mendota, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MENDOTA, Ill. — For a fleeting moment in both halves of Wednesday night’s Class 1A Mendota Sectional semifinal, the Serena boys soccer team saw a glimmer of hope. Quincy Notre Dame extinguished it each time before it ever got bright. The Husker trailed 2-0 nine minutes into the game, but a counterattack allowed them to…

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Photo gallery: Quincy Notre Dame vs. Serena in Class 1A Mendota Sectional semifinals

The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players get introduced prior to the start of Wednesday's Class 1A Mendota Sectional semifinal against Serena in Mendota, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MENDOTA, Ill. — The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team looked like the team to beat in the Class 1A Mendota Sectional on Wednesday night, dispatching Serena 9-2 in the sectional semifinals. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman made the four-hour trek to Mendota to capture images of the Raiders’ third postseason victory. Check out…

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Front to back: Hoyt, Kurk transition to defensive stalwarts to bolster QND soccer team

Quincy Notre Dame senior Jake Hoyt has made the transition from forward to center back to help bolster the Raiders' defensive back line. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jake Hoyt doesn’t have an explanation for how he ended up in such unfamiliar territory. “Honestly, I still really don’t know,” the senior said of being moved from forward to center back to fill a void in the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team’s defense. There’s really only one viable reason. A master…

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Anderson, QND seniors put stamp on home career with six-goal victory in Class 1A regional title tilt

Quincy Notre Dame's Tanner Anderson gets behind the Roanoke-Benson goalkeeper and finishes the goal during the first half of Friday night's Class 1A QND Regional championship at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Spending the final home game of a bally-hooed prep soccer career watching from the sideline had zero appeal for Tanner Anderson. So he rested, rehabbed and readied his aching hip in order to be available Friday night. The senior striker made sure he was more than just available, too. Anderson scored twice in…

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Photo gallery: QND, Roanoke-Benson advance to Class 1A boys regional championship game

Quincy Notre Dame's Brock Evans, left, plays the ball forward after the Raiders' Cole Henkenmeier, right, knocked it away from an Abingdon-Avon midfielder during Tuesday's Class 1A regional semifinal at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Leo Cann didn’t give the Abingdon-Avon boys soccer team the chance to get settled. If Quincy Notre Dame can do the same thing to Roanoke-Benson come Friday night, another regional championship should be added the Raiders’ treasure trove of titles. Cann, the junior forward, scored less than three minutes into Tuesday’s regional semifinal…

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Hannibal boys soccer team grinds out one-goal victory over QHS

Hannibal's Thomas Janes, left, and Kevin Westhoff are all smiles after finishing off a 1-0 victory over Quincy High School on Friday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eric Hill doesn’t mind the pressure and stress of a one-goal game. “It’s something that gets us prepared for where we need to be come postseason time and the type of game we’re going to be in,” the Hannibal boys soccer coach said. “That’s kind of a dogfight.” Friday night, the Pirates proved…

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Schuckman: A boy and a ball create perfect symmetry

Hayden Hoskins, a 9-year-old ball boy for the Quincy High School boys soccer team, kicks the ball around behind the northeast goal at Flinn Stadium during a game this season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A boy and a ball. That’s perfect symmetry. Hayden Hoskins’ job and his joy is to run around behind the goal at the northeast end of Flinn Stadium during Quincy High School boys soccer games and act as the ball boy. In reality, the 9-year-old just wants to play the way boys should.…

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Fit to be tied: QHS, QND dig in defensively as boys soccer showdown ends in scoreless draw

Quincy High School defender Biruk Rosen, left, tries to keep Quincy Notre Dame's Leo Cann from getting a good angle on a shot during the first half of Wednesday's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — In a sport where the standard dimensions of the goal are sizable — 24 feet wide and 8 feet high — every inch still matters. Wednesday night, the diameter of the goal posts mattered most. A little more than six minutes into the second half of the boys soccer crosstown showdown at Flinn…

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Photo gallery: Quincy High School vs. Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer at Flinn Stadium

Players from the Quincy Notre Dame and Quincy High School boys soccer teams watch a corner kick sail over the goal during the first half of Wednesday night's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The intensity was the same as the previous matchup, but in the second installment of the crosstown showdown between the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer teams, goal-scoring opportunities were at a premium. The scoreless draw was the first tie for both squads, and Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman…

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Blue Devils lock down defensively in second half, secure piece of another WB6 championship

Quincy High School's Evan Altman, right, battles with Geneseo's Brayden Combs for possession during Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game in Geneseo, Ill. | Photo courtesy Gary Krambeck, Quad-City Times

GENESEO — The Quincy High School boys soccer team controlled its fate. Geneseo could do nothing in the second half of Tuesday night’s Western Big 6 Conference matchup to change that. The Blue Devils clamped down defensively over the final 40 minutes, holding the Maple Leafs without a shot and using Josh Stupavsky’s goal in…

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The Rundown: Hannibal soccer coach hits career milestone, QND settles for draw, Ritterbusch with four hits for Highland

Plenty of action across the board Thursday. Here is a look at some of the things that happened: • Hannibal boys soccer coach Eric Hill reached a milestone with the Pirates’ 3-0 North Central Missouri Conference victory at Fulton. It was his 300th career victory. Drew Porter, Colton Dryden and DaeShon Glasgow each scored for…

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High five: Venvertloh breaks QHS boys soccer team’s single-game scoring record in WB6 victory

Carter Venvertloh scored five goals in Tuesday's 6-1 victory over Galesburg, breaking the Quincy High School boys soccer program's single-game scoring record. | Matt Schuckman file photo

GALESBURG, Ill. — The right approach offensively is something the Quincy High School boys soccer players have tried to perfect. Tuesday night, the Blue Devils dialed it as well as they have all season. “The team was very calm on the ball tonight to begin the game, very organized and kept the ball in the…

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Reignited and it feels so good: Second-half effort carries QHS soccer team to WB6 victory

United Township defender David Nelson, left, clears the ball before Quincy High School's Evan Sohn can challenge him during the first half of Tuesday's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Garrick Homan whole-heartedly believes effort and intensity can be contagious. So he’s embraced the role of human dynamo off the bench for the Quincy High School boys soccer team. “I want to be that positive spark to keep everyone up and reignite us,” Homan said. Tuesday night, with the Blue Devils trailing United…

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Hannibal soccer team displays resiliency in battling back to take third in own tournament

Hannibal’s Pearson Parker, left, and Bodie Rollins jump to head the ball on goal during the Pirates’ game against Parkway Central in the semifinals of the Pirate Shootout on Saturday morning at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal boys soccer team caught a glimpse of what a potential postseason opponent looks like and proved it can be right in the mix. Better yet, the Pirates also showed how to bounce back from adversity. Hannibal lost 1-0 to Parkway Central on Saturday morning in the semifinals of the 2022…

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Raiders unable to capitalize on second-half opportunities, suffer one-goal loss to Senators

Quincy Notre Dame goalkeeper Max Frericks dives for a shot by a Springfield attacker that goes wide of the net during the second half of Thursday night's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A taxing seven-games-in-11-days stretch became a distant memory when the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team returned to the pitch Thursday night after a week off. Yet, the second segment of the Raiders’ schedule started the same as the first. A shutout loss to high-quality team has the Raiders looking to quickly rebound.…

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Connection to history: Evans sets up Anderson for record-breaking, game-winning goal in crosstown showdown

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Tanner Anderson, left, reacts to scoring the first of his three goals Thursday night in a 4-3 victory over Quincy High School at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Consider it intuition or a sixth sense if you will, but some sort of extrasensory perception enables Brock Evans to know where, when and how to get Tanner Anderson the ball. “Every time Tanner yells, I know where he’s going to be even if I don’t see him,” the Quincy Notre Dame senior…

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Photo gallery: QND beats QHS in first of two crosstown showdowns

The Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players await a corner kick during the first half of their crosstown showdown at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The first crosstown showdown of the fall provided the intrigue and competitive grit that has made the Quincy High School vs. Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer rivalry so intense for the better part of the last four decades. The Raiders won 4-3 on Tanner Anderson’s goal with four minutes remaining in regulation at…

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Ready to Brock and roll: Evans gives QND soccer team boost in first action of season

Quincy Notre Dame senior midfielder Brock Evans drives the ball upfield during the first half of Tuesday's 5-0 victory over Hannibal at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Spending five consecutive games watching from the sideline with a tweaked back is not a scenario Brock Evans wants to revisit. “It was awful,” said Evans, a senior midfielder who hadn’t played for the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team prior to Tuesday’s game against Hannibal. “Just the thought of it in my…

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Raiders finish weekend undefeated, capture championship of own soccer tournament

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Tanner Anderson, left, looks to distribute during Saturday morning's game against United Township in the 33rd annual QND/Quincy Recycle Tournament at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The tournament bookends defensively might not have been ideal, but the persistence and aggressiveness with which the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team attacked in between those moments led to a championship effort. The Raiders finished 3-0 and won the title of the 33rd annual QND/Quincy Recycle Tournament at Advance Physical Therapy Field,…

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Raiders, Blue Devils open play in QND/Quincy Recycle Tournament with victories

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Tanner Anderson, left, congratulates freshman forward Cole Henkenmeier on his first career goal, scored late in the first half of Friday's 5-2 victory over Ladue Horton Watkins at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team was forced to show some wherewithal to survive its opening game in the QND/Quincy Recycle Tournament at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Trailing Ladue Horton Watkins 2-1 after Rams junior forward Dailyn Tate scored twice, the Raiders tied the game 11 minutes before halftime and scored four…

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Raiders seek improvement after being shut out by Irish in season opener

Quincy Notre Dame forward Leo Cann, center, gets bumped by a Peoria Notre Dame defender during the first half of Monday's season-opening game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It’s not where or how you start. It’s about where and how you end. So the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team will take Monday’s 3-0 loss to Peoria Notre Dame in the season opener at Advance Physical Therapy Field as a lesson learned and figure out how to make the ending better…

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QND boys soccer squad banking on right mentality, strong leadership to fuel state title chase

The leadership of senior forward Tanner Anderson, left, is just as valuable as his goal-scoring ability as the Raiders set their sights on chasing a Class 1A state championship. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — There’s an anxiousness shared by the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer players. “I wish we could play tomorrow,” senior midfielder Colin Kurk said. Knowing the season opener against Peoria Notre Dame isn’t until August 22, the Raiders have to temper their enthusiasm. “We have to get through the two weeks of practice first,”…

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