ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Mo.-St. Louis defeated Quincy 2-1 on Sunday in a competitive NCAA Division II regional contest, with the Tritons securing their fourth consecutive victory to improve to 10-3-2 on the season. The Hawks, entering the match with an identical 10-3-2 record, suffered their first loss in three games despite a spirited second-half comeback attempt.
Josie Maddox opened the scoring for Mo.-St. Louis in the 20th minute, assisted by Maddie Clark and Taylor Martin, giving the Tritons an early advantage. The goal came after Quincy's Olivia Nelson received a yellow card for unsporting conduct in the same minute, forcing the Hawks into early defensive adjustments. Mo.-St. Louis maintained their lead through the remainder of the first half, controlling possession and limiting Quincy's attacking opportunities. The home team's early breakthrough proved decisive, as Quincy struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure in the opening 45 minutes.
The first half saw Mo.-St. Louis dominate the territorial battle, with the Tritons recording 13 shot attempts compared to Quincy's 11. Mo.-St. Louis generated seven shots on goal to Quincy's six, demonstrating superior finishing efficiency. The Hawks earned 10 corner kicks to Mo.-St. Louis's six, indicating they created some attacking opportunities despite trailing. Quincy's defense, however, held firm for much of the opening period, with goalkeeper making five saves to keep the deficit manageable heading into halftime.
The second half witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum, with Quincy emerging as the more aggressive attacking force. Ella Wolfard equalized for the Hawks in the 71st minute, assisted by Faith Niebrugge and Jessie Newton, breathing new life into Quincy's regional tournament hopes. The goal sparked an intense period of back-and-forth play, with both teams creating dangerous opportunities. However, Mo.-St. Louis responded decisively, with Gwen Maggard restoring the Tritons' lead in the 81st minute. Despite Quincy's continued pressure and multiple corner-kick opportunities in the closing stages, the Hawks could not find the equalizer, with Mo.-St. Louis's defense holding firm through the final minutes.
Mo.-St. Louis outshot Quincy 13-11 overall, with seven shots on target compared to Quincy's six. The Tritons earned six corner kicks to Quincy's 10, reflecting the Hawks' increased attacking intensity in the second half. Yellow cards were distributed to Olivia Nelson and Monica Shupe for Quincy, while Maddie Clark received a caution for Mo.-St. Louis. Both goalkeepers recorded five saves, demonstrating the competitive nature of the match and the quality of chances created by both regional powerhouses.
Josie Maddox led Mo.-St. Louis's attacking efforts with multiple shot attempts throughout the match, while Gwen Maggard provided the crucial insurance goal. For Quincy, Ella Wolfard's equalizer demonstrated the Hawks' resilience, though her efforts ultimately proved insufficient. Rebecca Rheinheimer and Jessie Newton generated multiple opportunities for the visiting Hawks, showcasing Quincy's attacking depth despite the defeat.
The tactical battle centered on Mo.-St. Louis's early control versus Quincy's second-half aggression. The Tritons' patient build-up play and clinical finishing in the opening period proved decisive, while Quincy's increased pressing and corner-kick dominance in the second half created opportunities but lacked the finishing touch required for a comeback.
This victory strengthens Mo.-St. Louis's position in the regional standings, extending their winning streak to four matches. Quincy's loss snaps their two-game winning streak, though their 10-3-2 record maintains their competitive standing in the regional landscape. Mo.-St. Louis travels to face Truman State on October 31, while Quincy hosts Maryville (Mo.) the same day, both teams seeking to reestablish momentum in their respective conference competitions.