A pair of Quincy University sophomores, forward Mackenzie Rief and goalkeeper Megan Swanson, have been named Great Lakes Valley Conference Players of the Week in the sport of women's soccer, it was announced by the league office Monday.
Rief was selected GLVC Offensive Player of the Week, while Swanson was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week.
Rief played a role in all four of Quincy's goals, finishing with two goals and two assists last week to help the Hawks to a pair of shutout wins over McKendree and Illinois Springfield. QU and the Bearcats were scoreless into the 87th minute when the forward knocked in a header at the near post on a long ball from Bailey Greubel for the game-winner. On Sunday, she made the final pass to Ashley Burton, who tapped in a goal in the 26th minute to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead over UIS. Early in the second half, Rief played a perfect through-ball that sent Abby Pulliam one-on-one with the keeper, who was beat to the left side of goal. The sophomore sealed the win by converting a penalty kick in the 80th minute. She now has three goals and three assists on the season as the Hawks, winners of five straight, have moved into third place in league standings entering the final regular season contest on Wednesday.
This is the first career weekly honor for the Wentzville, Mo., native and the second offensive Hawk in a row selected as Burton was chosen last week on October 19.