GLEN CARBON - Erin Kretzer, who will be a senior midfielder and striker for the Father McGivney Catholic girls soccer team this coming spring, has signed a letter of intent to play for Quincy University in the fall of 2026.
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Kretzer was a key player in the Griffins' run in the IHSA Class 1A tournament run that ended in the Round of 16 last season in the sectional final against Columbia at George Martz Field at Belleville Althoff Catholic, as the Griffins lost to the Eagles 1-0.
Last season Kretzer scored 10 goals and added five assists for 25 points as McGivney went 24-2-0 on the season. In her post-ceremony interview, she expressed her reasons why she decided to cast her lot with the Hawks. Kretzer is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for the Griffins.
"The environment there is amazing," Kretzer said, "the community around it, it just felt super welcoming. I know I'm going to go there, and play from the coach's (Taylor Reis) perspective, so I'm just super excited to get on the field, and continue doing what I love for the next four years."
A definite plus was that the Hawks compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, which is long considered one of the best NCAA Division-II athletic conferences overall in the nation.
"Yes, I'm super excited to play against great competition in college," Kretzer said.
She also considered Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau, and another school, and plans on majoring in digital marketing and advertising, with an eye towards the business world after graduation. She doesn't plan on pursuing a professional soccer career in the National Women's Soccer League.
Kretzer's favorite memory of playing for the Griffins does involve family.
"Definitely playing side-by-side with my sister (Rachel, who currently plays at SEMO)," Kretzer said. "It was super fun getting experience some years playing on the same team as her."
