By Michele Barletta

The Quincy University men’s soccer team took big strides this season in an attempt to return to their glory days of college soccer. The Hawks ended the season 10-5-1 after finishing the GLVC regular season 9-4-1. Their record saw them finish tied for second place, however due to their loss to Maryville in the opening game of the season, they took the third place position because of the conference “Head-to-Head” rule.

After being predicted to finish in 10th place in the GLVC pre-season poll, not many expected the team to go on the run that they did. At the core of the Hawks success this season were three players, who landed up earning GLVC honors.

Aubrey Reis was named to the All-GLVC first team after leading the team in goal’s scored for his fourth consecutive season, scoring seven goals with four of them coming in the form of game winners. Among these game winners was the pivotal goal in the 1-0 win over the University of Southern Indiana in the conference quarter finals. The Hawks and the Screaming Eagles battled closely for 90 minutes, but it was Aubrey Reis’ decisive finish that helped the Hawks move into the semi-final.

“It was a really tough game, and I’m just glad I could contribute to the win, the whole team had a great game and we definitely deserved the win,” Reis said.

Reis had never beaten the Screaming Eagles during his tenure at Quincy University, with the Hawk’s last win against them coming in 2014.

“Beating them hasn’t been something we’ve been able to do recently, so being able to get it done in the quarter final makes it all that sweeter,” Reis said.

Cole Hayes and Alsadiq Hasan were named to the All GLVC third team this season. Hayes scored five goals and assisted three more. While Hasan scored one and assisted two, he had nine shots on goal and played an important role in the Hawks success this season by creating opportunities and breaking down play in the midfield.

“Yea I think I had a pretty good season, but really happy with how the team did, and I mean it is a team sport so if one of us does well, we all do well,” Hayes said.

In addition to these honors, Kyle Swanner was awarded the James R. Spalding Sportsmanship award for the Hawks.

The Hawks season ended in a 3-2 loss to Maryville University in the GLVC tournament semi-final, but the members of the team remain optimistic for what’s to come.

“I’m really excited for the fall, we’ve got such a good group of guys and everyone is ready to work and do well,” Hasan said.

“We’re only losing two players so there’s no reason we shouldn’t come back and do even better next season,” Reis said.

The Hawks look to return a strong core of the squad for the 2021-2022 season under the guidance of head coach Mike Carpenter.