Quigley leads Virginia Wesleyan into D3 Final Four
Excitement, enthusiasm, energy, exhilaration and excellence.
Those five words explain the passion, determination and heart Rachel Quigley brings to every soccer practice and every game.
Quigley, a junior goalkeeper, is having an amazing season and she will be in the nets for Virginia Wesleyan (18-2-4) this weekend when it faces Case Western Reserve (19-0-1) in the Division III Final Four in Salem, Virginia at 4 p.m. on Friday.
The other semifinal set for 1 p.m. has Messiah (201-3) taking on Johns Hopkins (21-0-2).
“This is so exciting and I couldn’t ask for anything more, and doing it with this team is awesome,’’ stated Quigley. “I couldn’t ask for better teammates to experience this with and a better coaching staff.’’
Quigley, who played her high school soccer at Northern Burlington, has allowed just 10 goals with 112 saves, 10 shutouts and an impressive 0.45 goals against average in 23 starts.
Virginia Wesleyan and Quigley have earned plenty of respect as they have gone undefeated in the last 11 games.
“I love being on the field and love playing tough teams,’’ said Quigley. “I know every time that we are always going to put everything we have out on the field, our heart and everything and that resonates not just with me but the entire team.’’
The Marlins have defeated Puget Sound (3-0), No. 23 Rowan (1-0), No. 13 Wisconsin-LaCrosse (2-1) and No. 3 Christopher Newport (4-3 on PKs) to reach the Final Four.
Christopher Newport
(19-0-2) came in as the defending Division III national champion, and that game wasn’t decided until penalty kicks.
“My first thought is there is no one else I would want in that net,’’ Quigley said of facing kicks. “I go in with the confidence that I’m going to save this for my team. I know that every single person on our team that when they step up to the line they are going to make it, and I know they have faith in me that I’m going to do everything in my control to save it.’’
Quigley had 12 saves in the game and two amazingly defining saves in the shootout.
Not the tallest ‘keeper around at 5-foot-6, Quigley makes up for it with a fierce determination and pure heart.
“I feel like when I’m out on the field there is no way my size affects the way I play,’’ declared Quigley. “I have good size in my heart and in my mind, and I’m going to put everything out there to save the ball.’’
She has proven the size of her courageous heart many times over this season with her play, her leadership and just by being the ultimate team player.
“I’m fortunate enough to have a team that has the same goal as me,’’ said Quigley. “We know this
is another opportunity to get better. We have heart and we want to win. I have the best team around me, wouldn’t want anyone else than the team I have around me.’’
Also surrounding Quigley is plenty of family support from her dad, David, and her mom, Tracy, and her brother, Kyle, who was a record-setting goalie at William Paterson.
“My brother is a huge role model for me,’’ said his little sister. “I grew up watching him play. Even though I was younger it motivated me because I either wanted to be as good as him or better and we still compare with each other. He helped developed
my love for the game. I dedicate every game to my brother because I wouldn’t be where I am without him, he’s a huge role model.’’
Her family and certainly her brother will be cheering on Virginia Wesleyan and Rachel.
“This is an experience that every college athlete wants to have,’’ said Quigley. “To make that run in the tournament, we are dancing and it’s something special.’’
Quigley is a special player, a special person. She brings excitement, enthusiasm, exhilaration and excellence to the pitch and just might bring back a national championship.