Marquardt’s saves, Byquist’s header lead Blue Devils to regional win over Granite City

Published 11:31 pm Tuesday, May 19, 2026

QUINCY — Quincy Blue Devils junior goal keeper Mady Marquardt did all she could to help her team win in her first playoff game.
Marquardt made nine saves and recorded her sixth shutout of the season to lead the Blue Devils to a 1-0 win over Granite City in the Class 2A Quincy Regional semifinal game on Tuesday.
“I was just trying to read their players,” said Marquardt. “It was pretty difficult because of the wet surface. A lot of balls were sliding and slipping, so that was pretty difficult. I just tried to get to behind the ball, so nothing would slip back into the net.”
It was Marquardt’s second straight shutout and ensures QHS one more game at Flinn Stadium, with the Blue Devils advancing to Friday’s regional championship game.
“It feels pretty special,” said Marquardt. “We all knew that we had to get this win to keep our season going. So there was a lot of pressure and a lot on the line. If we wouldn’t have won this, our season would have been over. We all kind of came together and played as a team tonight, which felt really good to win.”
Quincy took the lead in the 21st minute when junior forward Cameran Byquist scored a goal with a header, off a corner kick from senior midfielder Avery Morrison.
“We’ve been practicing corner kicks a lot in practice because we’ve had a lot of opportunities during those and we haven’t pulled through,” said Byquist. “We practiced corner kicks six times and I put a head on it, but I couldn’t put them in the goal. Just going into this game and having that mindset that I wanted to score is really what driven me to get that goal.”
It turned out to be the only goal of the game, but it gave QHS a lot of confidence.
“I think it was a confidence builder to play with a lead and to score on a corner kick,” said QHS head coach Travis Dinkheller. “There was a four-game stretch earlier this year where we had 26 corners in four games, and we didn’t get anything out of them. To go out there tonight and win that head ball was good. We worked on the technique in practice. We got a good service from Avery and then a really great finish from Cam.”
The game got more and more physical as it went on.
“When the time comes into the game when it gets push and shove, you just fight back,” said Byquist. “I did have to take myself off the field and make sure that I wasn’t going to hurt the team in any way, but I think we played through it well. We were smart, we took care of the ball and we finished well.”
Granite City also upped the pressure in the second half and were often on the offensive attack.
“Their forwards were pretty good,” said Marquardt. “Our defense really helped me out. So props to my team.”
The Blue Devils were able to fend off the late challenge, with junior back Reigan Colombo making a pivotal clear.
“The reality of the situation is that we’ve got to continue to do the little things,” said Dinkheller. “We’ve got to battle with that bend, but don’t break mentality. Colombo came up with a big clearance there at the end. So if we work together and believe in each other, I think a lot of good things can happen.”
Dinkheller reminded his team that everyone is 0-0 going into the postseason and the need to have a positive mindset. That message was well received.
“I think that we really wanted it, knowing that this team was very beatable coming into it,” said Byquist. “We just knew what were coming up against. I feel like we prepared ourselves very well, and we came out and put on a performance.”
Up for QHS (6-13) face Chatham Glenwood in the Class 2A Quincy Regional championship game at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
Quincy fell to the Titans 2-0 in Chatham in their regular season matchup on May 12.
“I think all of us are very capable of coming out and competing against that team,” said Byquist. “I know we recently lost to them, but if I’m being honest, we didn’t come out and play our best. I think this game definitely helped giving us momentum for that game. I just think that we’re ready. After a couple practices that will prepare us, we’ll go out and play our best.”
Chatham Glenwood won their regional semifinal game over Highland 8-0.
“Chatham is a very good team,” said Dinkheller. “They move the ball really well. We played them last week, so we kind of know what to expect from them. They’re going to throw numbers at us through the midfield. They’re well coached and they’re very disciplined. We got to be disciplined and keep the ball in front of us and try to make it as difficult as possible.”