Rock Island High School’s Girls Soccer Team added a notable first to its program history on the 31st of March, 2026, by defeating Quincy 1–0 in Western Big 6 Conference play. While it counts as just one win in the standings, it carries some extra weight, that being that no Rock Island girls team had previously beaten Quincy in a conference match.
The deciding moment came off a set piece midway through the game. After a Rock Island free kick was driven into the box, Quincy’s goalkeeper made the initial save, but the ball deflected back into play. Freshman Sophia Rodgers was in the right spot, and finished with a quick tap-in to the back of the net, giving the Rocks a 1–0 lead they would not give up. For a younger player to step into that moment, and convert, added an extra layer to the result, teammates say.
“I just followed the ball in and stayed ready,” Rodgers said. “Once I saw it come off the keeper, I knew I had to take the chance.”
From there, Rock Island shifted its focus to maintaining structure and limiting Quincy’s opportunities. Senior captain AJ Stewart, playing in goal, helped anchor that effort. She organized the defense, communicated consistently, and handled the increased pressure as Quincy pushed forward in the second half looking for an equalizer.
“We knew they were going to come at us more once we scored,” Stewart said. “It was about staying organized, staying calm, and trusting that everyone would do their job.”
On the field, senior captains Izzy Spurgetis and Yazmin Martinez played key roles in managing the pace of the game. Both contributed to possession stretches that helped relieve pressure, while also staying active defensively when Quincy advanced. Their experience showed in how the team handled momentum shifts.
“We’ve been in games like this before, where it gets tight late,” Spurgetis said. “This time, we did a better job of staying composed and not letting things slip.”
Martinez echoed that, adding, “It wasn’t perfect, but we stayed connected as a team. Everyone was communicating, and that made a big difference.”
The result stands out even more when viewed in the context of past meetings. In 2018, under a different coaching staff, Rock Island managed a tie against Quincy in conference play. This was back when games could end without penalty kicks as a tie-breaker in the Western Big 6. Since then, Quincy has remained a difficult hurdle. This time, the Rocks cleared the Blue Devils outright.
Head Coach Zach Vroman credited the group’s consistency and leadership, particularly from his senior captains. “They’ve set the tone all season,” Vroman said. “AJ, Izzy, and Yazmin have been steady leaders, and it showed in how we handled the second half. And for a freshman like Sophia to step up in that moment says a lot about the depth of this team.”
With the result, Rock Island not only secures a place in the program’s history, but also builds momentum moving forward. The combination of senior leadership and emerging young talent gives the Rocks a strong foundation as they continue through conference play, with this win serving as a clear sign of what the team is capable of.
