QHS, QND girls soccer programs rack up all-sectional honors from IHSSCA

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Makayla Patton, right, and Quincy High School senior midfielder Bri Lannerd both received Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-sectional honors. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The stability and strength of the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams — their spines — received a plethora of postseason accolades. Three Blue Devils and two Raiders were named to the all-sectional team by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association, to go along with each team picking…

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‘I just hit it’: Patton’s OT goal after lightning delay sends Raiders to sectional championship game

Quincy Notre Dame's Addlie Flesch, left, gains control of the ball with Alton Marquette's Emma Dempsey applying pressure during Friday night's Class 1A Riverton Sectional semifinal in Riverton, Ill. | Shane Hulsey photo

RIVERTON, Ill. — Lightning strikes delayed the game, but Makayla Patton’s strike decided it. At the end of a scoreless regulation, lightning near Riverton Middle School forced a 30-minute delay in Friday’s Class 1A Riverton Sectional semifinal between the Quincy Notre Dame and Alton Marquette girls soccer teams. Seven and a half minutes after the…

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Raiders pass first postseason exam as Patton leads goal-scoring barrage in regional title game

Quincy Notre Dame's Makayla Patton, left, battles Auburn's Alyssa Courtney for a ball in the air during Wednesday's Class 1A regional championship game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — If the postseason is supposed to feel like a series of final exams — Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer coach Mark Thomas described it as such — then Wednesday night’s Class 1A regional championship must have felt like a multi-choice test. How goals were the second-seeded Raiders going to score against third-seeded Auburn?…

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Raiders’ effort against Cardinals is sign they’re ready for postseason challenges

Quincy Notre Dame's Addie Flesch, left, battles Pleasant Plains' Miley Crow for possession during Monday night's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Mark Thomas has never concerned himself with which side of the ledger the higher number exists, but he understands the preoccupation with wins and losses. In the postseason, wins are all that matter. Leading up to the postseason, they aren’t always the measure of progress. “Sometimes when you look at a bigger perspective,…

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Martin’s golden goal caps Pirates’ comeback victory over Kewpies in regular season finale

Hannibal's Abbie Martin battles for possession with a pair of Columbia Hickman defenders during Monday's game at the Veteran Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Abbie Martin never panicked. Two and a half minutes into overtime of the Hannibal girls soccer team’s regular season finale against Hickman on Monday, Kewpies defender Hattie Hayes’ turnover in the middle of the pitch came right to Martin about 20 yards from the Hickman goal. Martin gathered, turned and rifled a…

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Blue Devils take it to limit to secure 20th conference championship in program history

EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Before leaving Flinn Stadium on Friday night, Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis Dinkheller told his leg-weary team he needed 80 more quality minutes from them to complete a weekend sweep. “If it takes 100, then we’ll play 100,” Dinkheller said. How prophetic. Saturday’s Western Big 6 Conference championship showdown…

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Halfway home: Blue Devils hope to make weekend complete with WB6 crown after finishing season sweep of Raiders

Quincy High School's Bri Lannerd, left, battles Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton, center, and Addie Flesch for a ball in the air during Friday night's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Just how much the Quincy High School girls soccer players fully embrace the “do hard better” mantra will become obvious by the time their team bus departs East Moline sometime Saturday afternoon. Nothing the Blue Devils have faced this regular season will be as hard as playing two emotionally charged games in the…

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‘The time will come when we get one’: Effort reaching postseason caliber level for Raiders

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore forward Addie Flesch, right, celebrates her goal with teammate Sage Stratton, left, during Friday night's game against Quincy High School at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman

QUINCY — The frustration showed in their eyes, never in their effort. The Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer players refused to give up their pursuit of a game-tying goal over the final 40 minutes of Friday night’s crosstown showdown with Quincy High School even when the equalizer never came. “All the girls worked their butts…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND girls soccer teams battle in second matchup of city series

Quincy Notre Dame midfielder Lauryn Peters, left, and Quincy High School defender Hope Lenz battle for possession near the endline during the first half of Friday night's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — For the second year in a row, the Quincy High School girls soccer team has swept the city series, winning 2-1 Friday night at Flinn Stadium behind two goals from senior midfielder Bri Lannerd. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening at the venerable facility and put together this photo gallery:

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Around the area: Hlubek belts three homers to lead Blue Devils past Chargers

Quincy High School's Avary Hlubek belted three home runs Friday against Illini West at the QHS field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Avary Hlubek could not and would not be denied. The sophomore center fielder hit home runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings of the Quincy High School softball team’s 12-4 victory over Illini West on Friday. Her second inning home run came just three batters after Carlee Gilker hit a two-run home…

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Right reactions to challenges keep Blue Devils undefeated in WB6 play

Quincy High School senior midfielder Bri Lannerd scored two goals in Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over Rock Island Alleman at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

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.…

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Hannibal girls soccer team posts two shutouts in winning Laker Shootout

Hannibal's Abbie Martin, left, and Ashley Davis combined to five goals in two victories Saturday during the Laker Shootout in Camdenton, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

CAMDENTON, Mo. — Mother Nature won Friday. The Hannibal girls soccer team owned Saturday. The Pirates’ opening game of the Laker Shootout against Warrensburg was washed out by Friday’s barrage of thunderstorms. It didn’t them from winning the title. Hannibal beat Carl Junction 3-0 and Waynesville 4-0 to win both the gold division and the…

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Right on cue: Pirates score flurry of goals in Pink Night victory over Bulldogs

Hannibal's Abbie Martin, left, and Aly Falconer celebrate one of Martin's three goals during Thursday night's 8-0 victory over Mexico in North Central Missouri Conference play in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal girls soccer coach Eric Hill did not write a script for Thursday’s North Central Missouri Conference game against Mexico, but if he would have, it would have looked something like the Pirates’ 8-0 victory at the Veterans Sports Complex. “We put on a show,” Hill said. It lasted only 51 minutes.…

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Early barrage, Routh’s hat trick carry Blue Devils to pivotal WB6 victory over defending champs

Quincy High School's Taylor Routh, right, celebrates her goal with teammate Rian Moore, who had the assist on the goal two minutes into Tuesday night's game against Geneseo. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team’s motivation never waned no matter how sizable the lead became. “Maybe for a second there we lost it,” senior forward Taylor Routh said. “But that’s it. We stayed pretty focused.” On a victory. On a title. On a legacy. Tuesday night’s 5-1 victory over Geneseo at…

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Thomas’ goal is breakthrough QND girls soccer team needs to knock off Burlington Notre Dame

Quincy Notre Dame's Sierra Thomas, right, attacks a Burlington Notre Dame defender during Tuesday's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Whew. That was the collective reaction from the Quincy Notre Dame soccer team when freshman Sierra Thomas scored in the 58th minute to break a scoreless draw in QND’s 3-1 win over Burlington Notre Dame on Tuesday at Advance Physical Therapy Field. “You could feel the air come out of the balloon a…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer team inches closer to Western Big 6 Conference championship

Quincy High School midfielder Rian Moore wins a ball amid three Geneseo players during Tuesday night's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team moved a step closer to regaining the Western Big 6 Conference championship, beating defending league champ Geneseo 5-1 Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium behind Taylor Routh’s hat trick. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening with the Blue Devils and put together this photo…

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Photo gallery: Split decision for QND teams at home as girls soccer wins, baseball falls

Quincy Notre Dame's Makayla Patton attempts to settle the ball during Tuesday's game against Burlington (Iowa) Notre Dame at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Shane Hulsey photo

QUINCY — Playing side by side on the Quincy Notre Dame campus Tuesday evening, the QND girls soccer and baseball teams came away with mixed results. The soccer team scored three second-half goals in a 3-1 victory over Burlington (Iowa) Notre Dame, while the baseball team left 12 runners on base during a 4-0 loss…

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Show Me Spotlight: Stolte’s return to pitch is welcome addition for Hannibal girls soccer squad

Hannibal sophomore forward Malia Stolte, left, has provided a spark offensively in her return to the pitch this season. | Matt Schuckman photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — For two years, Malia Stolte watched from the stands as her friends played a game she loved. The entire time she wondered what it would feel like to step on the soccer pitch again. “I just saw everybody playing and having fun, and I was just like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I miss that,’”…

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Photo gallery: Twice is nice for Pirates as baseball, girls soccer teams pick up NCMC victories

Hannibal right fielder Konnor Asbury reacts to a solid defensive inning during Wednesday's 8-1 victory over Moberly at the Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal fans who made it to the Veterans Sports Complex on Wednesday afternoon were treated to a two-for-two. Two Pirates teams playing and two victories. The Hannibal girls soccer team continued its dominance of the North Central Missouri Conference, picking up an 8-0 victory over Kirksville. Malia Stolte scored four goals, Ashley…

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Around the area: South Shelby golfers win invite, Liberty rallies, QND collects 17 hits, Lowe homers twice for Blue Devils

The South Shelby boys golf team posted a 310 team score to win its own invitational Wednesday at Lakeside Golf Course in Shelbine, Mo. | Submitted photo

SHELBINA, Mo — Jaaron Durbin and Noah Wilt took advantage of their home course knowledge and shared medalist honors Wednesday as the South Shelby boys golf team won its own invitational at Lakeside Golf Course. The Cardinals shot a 310, while Palmyra was second at 333 and Canton third at 344. Durbin and Wilt each…

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Photo gallery: QND sweeps weekend slate at Lady Pirate Invitational, Hannibal goes 2-0-1

Quincy Notre Dame senior midfielder Lauryn Peters, left, tries to take possession from a Perryville player during Saturday's game in the Lady Pirate Invitational at Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team pushed its winning streak to five consecutive games after sweeping the weekend at the Lady Pirate Invitational at the Veterans Sports Complex. The Raiders beat St. Charles West 6-1 and Perryville 4-1 on Saturday to improve to 7-4. Hannibal, which played to a 3-3 draw…

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‘I’m going to keep shooting’: Raiders shake off early tough breaks to rout Southern Boone

Quincy Notre Dame forward Ellison Barnes, left, looks to drive the ball into the box from the right corner during Friday night's game against Southern Boone in the Lady Pirate Invitational in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

The Raiders scored six goals in the opening 40 minutes and defeated Southern Boone, 7-2, in their first game of the Lady Pirate Invitational.

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Photo gallery: Hannibal, QND take momentum into second day of Lady Pirate Invitational

Abbie Martin, right, and her Hannibal girls soccer teammates celebrate after Martin scored to tie Friday's game against Parkway Central at 3 in the second half at Veterans Sports Complex in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams opened play Friday night in the Lady Pirate Invitational at the Veterans Sports Complex with the Pirates rallying for a 3-3 tie with Parkway Central, while QND blasted Southern Boone 7-2. Muddy River Sports Writer Shane Hulsey spent the evening in America’s hometown…

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Determined Blue Devils showcase ability to never surrender in second half of loss to Senators

Quincy High School senior midfielder Rian Moore heads the ball toward the goal during the first half of Thursday night's game against Springfield at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer players are far too young to know the song “Never Surrender,” which was a top-five hit in 1985 sung by Corey Hart. But the classic rock tune could be the Blue Devils’ theme song. Down two goals and playing a person short for the final 17 minutes…

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Photo gallery: QHS, Springfield girls soccer teams square off at Flinn Stadium

Quincy High School senior forward Taylor Routh looks to make a run through the Springfield defense during the first half of Thursday's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team woke up at halftime Thursday night and nearly pulled off an improbable comeback, losing 3-2 to Springfield at Flinn Stadium. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the evening at the venerable facility and put together this photo gallery.

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Photo gallery: Alumni celebration helps QND girls soccer team get back on winning track

Quincy Notre Dame junior wing Liesel Vincent passes the ball up the left side of the field during Saturday's game against Burlington (Iowa) at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Maybe the presence of three decades of alumni gave the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team a boost. Trailing Burlington (Iowa) 2-1 in the second half Saturday afternoon at Advance Physical Therapy Field, the Raiders responded with a three-goal rally for a 4-2 victory. Sophomore forward Addie Flesch scored three goals, including the…

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Blue Devils make two-goal lead last in winning first leg of crosstown series with Raiders

Quincy High School's Avery Morrison, right, tries to cut the ball back as Quincy Notre Dame defender Lauryn Peters charges during Friday night's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Eight days without a game was one of the reasons why the Quincy High School girls players conceded they struggled to get in a groove in the first half Friday night. Hope Lenz pinpointed the other issue. “There’s obviously a lot of emotion that goes into this game,” the senior defender said. That…

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‘It’s an adrenaline rush honestly’: Blue Devils’ Fohey stymies Raiders with series of saves

Quincy High School senior goalkeeper Taylor Fohey picks up a ball that rolled into the box off a shot from Quincy Notre Dame's Makayla Patton during Friday night's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Having a 6-foot, athletic, talkative and charismatic goalkeeper is kind of like having a warm, cozy blanket the Quincy High School girls soccer team can find comfort in. The Blue Devils don’t take that for granted. “Taylor is a badass,” senior defender Hope Lenz said of her teammate, Taylor Fohey. “Obviously, I’m going…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND girls soccer teams square off in first showdown of spring

Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis Dinkheller gives senior forward Taylor Routh a piggy-back ride to the bench after she cramped up late in Friday night's game against Quincy Notre Dame at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The sun came out Friday just in time to make the weather more pleasant for the first of two meetings this spring between the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams. The Blue Devils used a goal late in the first half and early in the second half to post…

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Pirates overwhelm another NCMC opponent with goal-scoring onslaught

Hannibal's Ashley Davis scored two goals in Thursday night's 8-0 victory over Fulton in North Central Missouri Conference play at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal girls soccer team showcased its dynamic ability to put an opponent on its heels Thursday night. There isn’t much the rest of the North Central Missouri Conference can do about it. The Pirates overwhelmed Fulton in an 8-0 victory Thursday night at Veterans Field. The Pirates improved to 4-0 in…

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Martin, Pirates make history as late goal secures first-ever victory against Raiders

From left, Hannibal's Abbie Martin, Aly Falconer and Malia Stolte celebrate Stolte's goal with 16 minutes remaining in the first half of Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over Quincy Notre Dame at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A goal with four minutes remaining in regulation Tuesday night gave the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team a glimmer of hope. Abbie Martin snuffed that out in a blink. Roughly a minute after the Raiders trimmed their two-goal deficit in half, Martin burst free on a counterattack and finished with a deft…

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Photo gallery: Hannibal, QND girls soccer teams battle in cold, windy conditions

Members of the Hannibal and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams await a restart during the second half of Tuesday night's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The temperature dipped below 40 degrees and the wind blew across the field with gusts up to 25 mph, creating challenges for both the Hannibal and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams to maintain possession and control. Ultimately, the Pirates used the wind to their advantage and scored a 3-1 victory at Advance…

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Photo gallery: Stolte’s quick goal sparks Hannibal’s attack in NCMC victory over Moberly

Malia Stolte, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring 11 seconds into Thursday's North Central Missouri Conference game against Moberly at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal girls soccer team earned a North Central Missouri Conference victory Thursday at Veterans Field, beating Moberly 5-1 as Malia Stolte tied a school record for the quickest goal scored as she netted the first goal just 11 seconds into the game. Aly Falconer scored two goals for the Pirates (5-1-1,…

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Pair of second-half goals lift Blue Devils to another road victory

Quincy High School's Avery Morrison scored the winning goal in Thursday night's 2-1 victory over Sacred Heart-Griffin in Springfield, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Travis Dinkheller said so long to his players. “I told them I’ll see you Monday,” he said. Following Thursday night’s 2-1 victory over Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin — the Quincy High School girls soccer team’s fifth game in seven days — the Blue Devils coach wanted his players to get rest, get healed…

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Blue Devils come home from bitterly cold road trip with another conference victory

Quincy High School senior forward Taylor Routh scored the first goal in Tuesday night's 4-0 victory over Moline in Western Big 6 Conference play in Moline, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

MOLINE, Ill. — Playing in less-than-ideal conditions is something the Quincy High School girls soccer team has had to embrace. “We have to take the attitude that nothing bothers us,” Blue Devils coach Travis Dinkheller said. “We’re going to be tougher and we’re going to play harder than our opponent.” Once they got their feet…

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QHS, Hannibal fit to be tied, while QND overwhelms West Plains on tourney’s first night

Hannibal's Abbie Martin drives the ball up the left sideline during Friday night's game against Quincy High School at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Friday night felt more like November football weather than the spring soccer season at Flinn Stadium with temperatures dipping close to the freezing mark and wind chills falling below 30 degrees. It didn’t put a chill on the fervor of a cross-river rivalry. The Quincy High School girls soccer team built a one-goal…

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Photo gallery: QHS, Hannibal, QND kick off weekend girls soccer tournament

Quincy High School senior midfielder Rian Moore directs the play off a throw-in during Friday night's game against Hannibal at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School and Hannibal girls soccer teams played to a 2-2 draw Friday night at Flinn Stadium, while Quincy Notre Dame beat West Plains (Mo.) 6-0 on the opening night of the QHS Kickoff Showcase. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent time at Flinn Stadium and put together this photo…

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Blue Devils bolt out of gate with 10-goal outburst to wallop Rocks in season opener

Quincy High School senior midfielder Bri Lannerd scored four goals in the Blue Devils' season-opening 10-1 victory at Rock Island on Tuesday night. | Matt Schuckman photo

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — One of the managers for the Quincy High School girls soccer team warned Blue Devils coach Travis Dinkheller when he watches the video footage of Tuesday night’s season opener he might hear a noticeable gasp or comment about the first goal. It happened so quickly, it took everyone by surprise. Off…

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Photo gallery: Stolte’s first goal, Wilson’s complete game help Hannibal enjoy banner day

Hannibal right-hander Kane Wilson delivers a pitch during Tuesday's game against Wentzville Holt at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Malia Stolte didn’t settle for scoring her first varsity goal in the Hannibal girls soccer team’s 8-0 victory over Warrenton on Tuesday night at Veterans Field. She went ahead and recorded her first career hat trick as well. Kane Wilson didn’t settle for his first victory of the season for the Hannibal…

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Success on set pieces helps QND girls soccer team ‘set the tone for the rest of the season’

Quincy Notre Dame's Makayla Patton, right, collides with Jefferson City Helias' Liza Kemna while challenging for a ball in the air during Saturday's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Perfecting set pieces became a point of emphasis during the lead-up to the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team’s season opener. “For the past three days, we’ve worked on them every day,” junior midfielder Lilly Schuette said. “Even in walk-throughs.” The reason why became obvious 12 minutes into Saturday’s game against Jefferson City…

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Photo gallery: QND girls soccer team opens its season with 3-2 victory over Helias

Quincy Notre Dame freshman defender Sierra Thomas, left, attempts to clear a ball while being pressured from behind by Jefferson City Helias forward Brooke Yanskey during Saturday's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Lilly Schuette’s second-half penalty kick and a stout defensive effort over the final 40 minutes enabled the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team to open its season Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Jefferson City (Mo.) Helias at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman spent the afternoon next to…

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New coach, same expectations as QND girls soccer team sets sights on return to state tourney

Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer coach Mark Thomas, right, demonstrates the proper technique during a drill in a preseason practice at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Aubrey Sparrow wasn’t naive enough to think the tempo and tenor of Mark Thomas-led practices would be similar to those run by former Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer Mark Longo. “I knew the style would change, just how it does with every coach,” the senior defender said. But she remained confident the Raiders…

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QND hits its Mark with announcement of new girls soccer head coach

Mark Thomas addresses a crowd gathered in the Quincy Notre Dame library Thursday morning after being introduced as the the Raiders' new girls soccer head coach. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Mark Thomas’ biggest challenge as the new Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer head coach won’t come from replacing a legend on the sidelines or developing the right system of play for a youthful, talented team. It will be finding time to hunt during the Illinois spring turkey season. “I might have to figure…

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Edwardsville’s goal in final minute results in heart-breaking loss for QHS girls soccer team

Quincy High School defender Anna Morrison, left, knocks the ball away from the pressure of Edwardsville's Olivia Baca during Friday night's Class 3A regional championship at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Travis Dinkheller offered all he could. A hug. A pat on the back. An “I love you” to his players. Those things matter in due time. In the moment, it’s difficult to see past the tears of a season-ending loss, especially one that happened in such heart-breaking fashion. The Quincy High School girls…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer team’s season ends with loss to Edwardsville

Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis Dinkheller, right, tries to console his players following Friday night's 2-1 loss to Edwardsville in the Class 3A regional championship game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The effort was commendable, especially the manner in which the Quincy High School girls soccer team locked down defensively on Edwardsville in the second half of Friday night’s Class 3A regional championship at Flinn Stadium. However, the Tigers scored with 29.5 seconds remaining in regulation to earn a 2-1 victory and end the…

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A player’s perspective: Former QND girls soccer standouts reflect on Longo’s impact on tradition-rich program last 34 years

The first Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team in 1990 launched what became an incredible run of success with Mark Longo, back row far left, at the helm the past 34 years. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — The winningest girls soccer coach in Illinois High School Association history impacted the lives of those he coached far beyond the white lines. That became abundantly clear with the reaction three decades worth of Quincy Notre Dame players had Tuesday when Mark Longo announced he was retiring following 34 years at the helm.…

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A legacy unmatched: Longo retires after 34 years at helm of QND girls soccer program

Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer coach Mark Longo never endured a losing season during his 34 years at the helm, winning a state-record 608 games. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The final sentence in a small paragraph next to the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team photo in the school’s yearbook in 1990 may have been the ultimate foreshadowing. “Another tradition of Raider soccer, at its best, had begun!!” it read. It became a tradition no other program can match. The architect of…

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‘Go left no matter what’: Fohey’s save on final PK attempt lifts Blue Devils to regional semifinal win

The Quincy High School girls soccer players celebrate beating Granite City 2-1 in a penalty-kick shootout to win the Class 3A regional semifinal Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — With a choice to make — left or right — Taylor Fohey kept hearing what Quincy High School assistant girls soccer coach Chad Struck had to say.  “He said, ‘Go left no matter what,’” Fohey said. “I trusted him.” So left she went. The QHS junior goalkeeper looked at how Granite City’s Peyton…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer team outlasts Granite City in PK shootout

Quincy High School junior goalkeeper Taylor Fohey makes a save on the penalty kick attempted by Granite City in a shootout Tuesday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team refused to falter, and the reward for that is the opportunity to play for a regional championship. The Blue Devils played Granite City to a 1-1 tie through regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods Tuesday night before winning a penalty-kick shootout 2-1 at Flinn Stadium. The…

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Raiders’ reign as Class 1A state champions ends with regional title game loss to Cyclones

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore midfielder Sage Stratton and the Raiders saw their season end with a 4-2 loss to Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin on Friday night in the Class 1A regional championship at Ken Leonard Field in Springfield, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The reign is over, undone by the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team’s inability to find a consistent rhythm or flow to its season. Injuries curtailed that. Inconsistency did, too. Unable to create their own lucky bounces or breaks, the Raiders played catch-up too often, just like they did Friday during a…

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Raiders begin title defense by hammering Hawks, set up regional final matchup with Cyclones

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Weather and scheduling conflicts forced the regular-season matchup between the Quincy Notre Dame and Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin girls soccer teams to first be postponed and then shelved. Nothing will stop them from going head-to-head now. QND began the defense of its Class 1A state championship by hammering Riverton 8-0 Tuesday night in…

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How sweep it is: For first time since girls soccer rivalry began 33 years ago, QHS sweeps QND

Quincy Notre Dame forward Lia Quintero, right, attempts to play the ball between Quincy High School defenders Hope Lenz, left, and Maddie O'Brien, back, during Thursday's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — In nearly a quarter century as part of the Quincy High School girls soccer program — the first eight as an assistant coach and the past 15 as the head coach — Travis Dinkheller had never witnessed the Blue Devils sweep the season series from their crosstown rivals. Not a single person had.…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer team shuts out QND to sweep season series

Quincy High School's Breighlyn Thomas and Quincy Notre Dame's Addie Flesch end up grabbing each other's hand as the scramble for possession of a loose ball during Thursday's game at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team limited Quincy Notre Dame’s opportunities Thursday night and took advantage of Taylor Routh’s goal with 17 minutes remaining in regulation to earn a 1-0 victory at Advance Physical Therapy Field and sweep the season series for the first time ever. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman…

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Final home stretch showing Raiders have heart to be contender in Class 1A postseason

Quincy Notre Dame forward Makayla Patton, center, gets her head on a ball crossed into the box during Wednesday's game against Jacksonville at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — If home is indeed where the heart is, the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team is using its longest stretch of home games to find out how much heart it truly has. Wednesday’s effort gave the Raiders hope they have the heart of a champion. Three second-half goals led to a 4-0 victory…

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Photo gallery: QND girls soccer team shuts out Jacksonville during final home stretch

Quincy Notre Dame's Sage Stratton, left, takes a pass from Lia Quintero off a short corner before sending it back to Quintero, who scored off a shot from the top of the box during Wednesday's 4-0 victory over Jacksonville at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The shutout was a boost of confidence for the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team’s defense. The victory over Jacksonville was a shot in the arm for everyone. The Raiders beat the Crimsons 4-0 Wednesday at Advance Physical Therapy Field to create some needed momentum with the postseason looming. Muddy River Sports Editor…

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

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…

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Blue Devils don’t stop believing comeback is possible, rally to forge tie with Bruins

Quincy High School midfielder Sydney Welsh, left, fights off Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge's Kendall Watson to maintain possession during Monday's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The moment “Sweet Caroline” began playing over the Flinn Stadium sound system, Bri Lannerd’s excitement enveloped her teammates. “That’s our song,” she blurted out. The next thing you know, the Quincy High School girls soccer players were singing and dancing to the Neil Diamond tune. Although the song released more than 50 years…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer forges tie with Rock Bridge to remain unbeaten

Quincy High School defender Hope Lenz, right, applies pressure to Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge's Lia Metz during the second half of Monday's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It took a little from everyone to hold the rope. After surrendering three goals in the game’s first 22 minutes, the Quincy High School girls soccer team’s defense stonewalled Columbia (Mo.) Rock Bridge the final 58 minutes. Two goals in the final three minutes of the first half by Taylor Routh turned the…

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Gauntlet of tough tests awaits Blue Devils after finishing shutout of Crimsons

Quincy High School midfielder Bri Lannerd drives a free kick toward the goal during Saturday's game against Jacksonville at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Ten games without a loss is a quality stretch, one of the best to open a season in the history of the Quincy High School girls soccer program. Yet, the Blue Devils know what comes next will better define their postseason potential. “This week is our week to prove ourselves,” junior midfielder Rian…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer team stays unbeaten with victory over Jacksonville

Quincy High School forward Kenzie O'Brien, center, hammers a shot on goal during the second half of Saturday's game against Jacksonville at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — If Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis Dinkheller were to break the regular season down into two parts, the first one wrapped up Saturday. The second part will be more challenging. The Blue Devils dispatched Jacksonville 5-0 at Flinn Stadium to improve to 8-0-2. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured the…

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Photo gallery: QND soccer team scores early, often to run away from Macomb

Quincy Notre Dame sophomore midfielder Sage Stratton, left, celebrates her first goal with teammate Lilly Schuette during Wednesday's 10-0 victory over Macomb at Advance Physical Therapy Field. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team scored five goals in the first 10 minutes of Wednesday’s game against Macomb at Advance Physical Therapy Field and rolled to a 10-0 victory. Sage Stratton recorded a hat trick and Jaden Tchapda scored her first varsity goal for the Raiders. Stratton finished a Lilly Schuette…

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Lopsided WB6 victory helps prep Blue Devils for upcoming gauntlet of tough tests

Quincy High School forward Kenzie O'Brien, left, attacks Sterling defender Maria Garcia during the first half of Monday's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The lopsided nature of Monday’s Western Big 6 Conference game suggested there wasn’t much for the Quincy High School girls soccer team to gain from its effort. Reality proved otherwise. The 12-0 victory over Sterling at Flinn Stadium kept the Blue Devils undefeated through eight games, a significant fact when it comes time…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer team steamrolls Sterling in WB6 play to remain undefeated

Quincy High School wing defender Anna Morrison, right, pushes the ball upfield against Sterling's Kassie Britt during Monday's Western Big 6 Conference game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Bri Lannerd racked up five goals. Ava Soltwedel and Maddie O’Brien, a pair of defensive stalwarts, scored their first career goals. And the Quincy High School girls soccer team rolled to a 12-0 victory Sterling in Western Big 6 Conference action Monday night at Flinn Stadium. The Blue Devils are 6-0-2 overall and…

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Stratton ties assist record with four in first half as Raiders roll to victory over Grayhounds

Quincy Notre Dame midfielder Sage Stratton tied a program record with four assists in the first half of Saturday's 7-1 victory at Burlington, Iowa. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

BURLINGTON, Iowa — Sage Stratton’s remarkable start to her prep career — three seasons, three state trophies — now includes a prestigious individual honor. The sophomore tied a Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer program single-half record. Saturday, during an 7-1 victory over Burlington, Stratton assisted on four first-half goals, while scoring one herself. The midfielder…

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Raiders taking ‘lot of positive steps’ as three-goal victory over Pirates indicates

Hannibal's Gracie Martin, left, battles with Quincy Notre Dame's Makayla Patton for possession during Wednesday's game at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Mark Longo is confident the best is yet to come for Quincy Notre Dame’s girls soccer team. “We’re still a long way from where we need to be, but we’ll be OK,” said Longo, now in his 33rd season as Raiders coach. Longo had just watched QND down Hannibal 5-2, erupting for…

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Photo gallery: QND, Hannibal engage in physical battle on Veterans sports complex soccer pitch

Quincy Notre Dame defender Aubrey Sparrow, left, shadows Hannibal attacker Abbie Martin during Wednesday's game at Veterans Field in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The physical play of the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team and the second-half intensity of the attack brought about by senior forward Lia Quintero and sophomore forward Makalya Patton led to a 5-2 victory over Hannibal on Wednesday at Veterans Field. Photographer Mathew Kirby put together this photo gallery from the…

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Blue Devils end demanding stretch with one-goal conference victory and earn day of rest

Quincy High School forward Breighlyn Thomas scored the Blue Devils' lone goal in a 1-0 victory Tuesday night against United Township at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Does having survived playing five games in five days without a loss earn the Quincy High School girls soccer team a day of rest come Wednesday? “Oh, hell yes,” Blue Devils coach Travis Dinkheller said. Quincy finished its physically taxing stretch Tuesday night with a 1-0 victory over United Township in Western Big…

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Second-half surge carries Blue Devils to three-goal victory in crosstown showdown

The Quincy High School girls soccer players celebrate Taylor Routh's goal in the 47th minute Monday night in the crosstown showdown against Quincy Notre Dame at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Travis Dinkheller is saving his fire-and-brimstone speech for another day, but the passionate plea the Quincy High School girls soccer coach made at halftime Monday night resonated with his players. “His message was very clear,” junior midfielder Bri Lannerd said. “We needed to show up in the second half.” The Blue Devils did…

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

Quincy High School forward Kenzie O'Brien, left, and Quincy Notre Dame goalkeeper Aly Young collide on a ball played into the box during the opening minutes of the second half Monday night at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — For the first time in a quarter century, the Quincy High School girls soccer team will have the chance to sweep its crosstown rival, beating Quincy Notre Dame 4-1 in Monday night’s matchup at Flinn Stadium. The teams square off again next Monday at Advance Physical Therapy Field. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt…

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Fit to be tied: Blue Devils play to pair of scoreless draws, Raiders end tourney with stalemate

Quincy High School defender Ava Soltwedel, right, pokes the ball away from Ladue Horton Watkins forward Darci Levinson during Saturday's game at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Noticeably irked after allowing a goal in the final two minutes Friday night against Hannibal, the Quincy High School girls soccer team’s defenders vowed it wouldn’t happen again. A spirited effort Saturday ensured it didn’t. The Blue Devils withstood a late push from Ladue Horton Watkins to finish off the second of two…

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Photo gallery: QHS, QND girls soccer teams wrap up play in QHS Tournament

Quincy High School midfielder Rian Moore, right, takes possession away from Ladue Horton Watkins defender Taylor Babb during Saturday's game in the QHS Tournament at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Ahead of the first crosstown showdown of the season coming Monday at Flinn Stadium, the Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer teams wrapped up play in the QHS Tournament on Saturday with both battling to a tie in their final games. QHS and Ladue Horton Watkins held each other scoreless…

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Blue Devils get tough stretch started right, grind out one-goal victory against Pirates

Quincy High School's Taylor Routh, center, and Sydney Welsh, right, react to Welsh scoring the first goal against Hannibal on Friday night in the QHS Tournament at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Knowing how taxing a five-games-in-five-days stretch will be, especially when two of those are rivalry games, the Quincy High School girls soccer team couldn’t afford to start things on the wrong foot. Sydney Welsh didn’t let that happen. The sophomore midfielder put herself in the right spot at the right time to redirect…

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Photo gallery: QHS girls soccer team opens own tournament with victory over Hannibal

Quincy High School girls soccer coach Travis Dinkheller talks with forward Taylor Routh on the sideline during Friday night's game against Hannibal at Flinn Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy High School girls soccer team finished off the first night of its two-day tournament with a 2-1 victory over Hannibal at Flinn Stadium. Ladue Horton Watkins beat Quincy Notre Dame 3-0 and Cape Girardeau Notre Dame beat Springfield 2-0 in the other games. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured the…

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Raiders suffer first loss of season, unable to find energy against Rams in QHS Tournament opener

QUINCY — Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer coach Mark Longo decided to give his players an opportunity to recharge Thursday, holding a meeting instead of a light practice after playing back-to-back days. “Even at that meeting, I could tell they were tired,” he said. Friday, little changed. The Raiders were outhustled and outplayed in a…

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Patton’s hat trick helps Raiders avenge loss from last season, shut out Eagles in home opener

Quincy Notre Dame's Makayla Patton, left, beats an Orchard Farm defender to the ball and gets off a shot for her third goal in the Raiders' 4-0 victory Tuesday at Advance Physical Therapy Field.

QUINCY — Makayla Patton believes passing, persistence and patience are going to lead to scoring opportunities for the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team. “It’s what we’re doing really well so far this season,” the sophomore forward said. Tuesday, in the home opener at Advance Physical Therapy Field, the Raiders also added precision to mix.…

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Ready to play games that ‘mean something,’ Blue Devils embark on quest to claim championships

Quincy High School junior midfielder Bri Lannerd, left, led the Blue Devils with 14 goals and 10 assists last season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Hanging out together after their Blue-White intrasquad scrimmage last week, the Quincy High School girls soccer players found themselves yearning to play a game that mattered. “It was just so fun being out there,” junior midfielder Rian Moore said. “We just want it to be real. We want it to mean something.” Tuesday…

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Quintero records hat trick in second game back from injury, Raiders whitewash another opponent

Quincy Notre Dame senior forward Lia Quintero, with her trademark gearshift hairstyle, has scored five goals in two games upon her return from a knee injury. | Matt Schuckman photo

RIVERTON, Ill. — Welcome back, Gearshift. Lia Quintero, the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team’s senior forward who has said her gameday hairstyle resembles a gearshift, is showing no signs of being slowed by the knee injury she suffered in the final minutes of last season’s Class 1A state semifinal victory. After scoring twice in…

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Title defense no easy task, but QND girls soccer team’s experience makes defending crown possible

Senior sweeper Eva Dickerman, left, and the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team will try to defend their Class 1A state championship this spring. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Watching the Quincy Notre Dame girls basketball team fall short of its goal of defending its Class 2A state championship made the QND girls soccer players realize a very important fact. Repeating isn’t easy. So as the Raiders embark on their own title defense — the reigning Class 1A state champions who went…

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QND lands three juniors on girls soccer all-sectional list, two QHS sophomores earn spots

Quincy Notre Dame junior forward Lia Quintero received all-sectional honors from the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The front-to-back, middle-of-the-field trio that carried the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team to a state championship earned some worthy postseason honors. So did Quincy High School’s dangerous sophomore connection. Raiders forward Lia Quintero, midfielder Avery Keck and sweeper Eva Dickerman — they are all juniors — received all-sectional plaudits from the Illinois…

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Crim: Hornets’ season to remember caps school year filled with success from start to finish

The Brown County baseball team became the sixth program in the Muddy River Sports coverage area to win a state trophy during the 2021-22 school year. Matt Schuckman photo

It was nearly the perfect ending to a magical high school sports season. Brown County was the sixth team in the Muddy River Sports area to play for a state championship during the 2021-22 school year when it took the field Saturday against Louisville North Clay in the Illinois Class 1A baseball state finals in…

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Schuckman: QND girls soccer program once again delivers when opportunity strikes

The Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team returned home to The Pit on Sunday for a celebration of its Class 1A state championship that included "6" balloons in honor of the program's sixth state championship. Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Mark McDowell did his best Avery Keck impersonation Sunday afternoon. When opportunity struck, he delivered. The Quincy Notre Dame principal took advantage of the recent addition of a large video board on the west wall of The Pit by having a picture loaded and ready to loom large over everyone during the welcome…

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Sixth sense: Keck’s game-winning goal, lockdown defensive effort carry QND girls soccer team to sixth state championship

The Quincy Notre Dame soccer players celebrate after receiving the Class 1A state championship trophy following their 1-0 victory over Richmond-Burton in Saturday's title game at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in Naperville, Ill. | Photo courtesy Randy Dickerman

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Annie Eaton’s tear-filled eyes and ear-to-ear smile told the same story. Her elation over helping the Quincy Notre Dame girls soccer team win the Class 1A state championship Saturday night was all-encompassing. “It’s every emotion you can think of,” Eaton said while standing in the courtyard outside North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium…

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