By RICHARD MARKEY

Herald-Whig Sports Writer

In the playoffs, it's all about surviving and advancing. The Quincy University women's soccer team figured that out on Sunday.

After playing even for most of a nip-and tuck-affair with Southern Indiana, the Lady Hawks' persistence paid off as Megan Wingenbach scored in the 80th minute for a 1-0 victory in a quarterfinal round game of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at North Campus Field.

Jenna Boyko played a corner kick to the far right post, the ball bounded off a player to Wingenbach, who finished with a header left of the keeper.

"It was off of one of our corners, we've been working on it all week," Wingenbach said. "We change it and I come in to try and catch any balls that slip through, that one happened to slip through and the goal was wide open."

The goal came after a sluggish start which carried into the early portion of the second half. The two teams at the half were nearly even in shots 5-4, although USI had a pair of shots on goal.

With a more aggressive approach the Lady Hawks (13-4-1) did just enough, outshooting the Screaming Eagles 8-3 in the second half, to stay one step ahead.

The grind-it-out pace is something QU coach Dave Musso thinks should be expected in the postseason.

"Last year, we lost on a corner kick like that. Musso said. "In these GLVC games any team can win, it's all about who finishes their opportunities. ... We know one play can get you going on to the next round and luckily it was a header for us."

Although Quincy finished with an outstanding GLVC record, knowing a national tournament berth was no guarantee was also a major motivator for the Lady Hawks in the waning minutes.

"It definitely was for me because I'm a senior," Boyko said. "(Musso) kind of said at halftime, 'Hey let's win this one for the seniors.' And everybody else you never know how many opportunities you're going to have to win the GLVC Tournament, so that definitely was motivation."

Toni Eye had four saves in the game to record her 10th shutout of the season, helped by solid play in the back and midfield by Megan Reel and Megan Schwermer. Quincy outshot USI 13-7 overall and finished with six corners to USI's five.

Quincy advances to play Bellarmine in the semifinals Friday at Northern Kentucky. The Lady Hawks beat Bellarmine 2-0 earlier this season.

Boyko has an idea of what to expect.

"We played Bellarmine here before and we played good," Boyko said. "I think it's going to be just like this game. We beat them before but they're going to come out just like Southern Indiana, knowing that this could be their last game, too. It's going to be a tough one, but hopefully we're up for the challenge."

— sports@whig.com/221-3365