By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
SEARCY, Ark. – Following an offensively dominant performance against Ouachita Baptist on Thursday that resulted in a draw, No. 22 Fort Hays State men’s soccer was back in the scoresheet early on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers defeated Harding 8-1 to snatch their fourth win of the season.
With the victory, FHSU remains undefeated all-time against Harding, moving the record to 7-0.
The 2018 National Semifinalists struck early against the Bisons. In the fourth minute, midfielder Moritz Walther began the scoring on an assist from Agustin Meza – creating the first goal of the season for Walther.
Just seven minutes later, Moises Peralta followed up Walther, with an assist from Alec Bevis.
Nearly midway through the first half, Tigers leading goal scorer Santiago Agudelo added another to the scoreboard, notching his fifth of the season. Sophomore midfielder,Rogelio Lopez was awarded his third assist on the season during the play.
Four minutes later, Fort Hays added another score only this time, it was Lopez finishing a pass from Agudelo. On an ensuing FHSU possession, the black and gold once again found the back of the net for their fourth goal of the game. Lopez, once again a facilitator on the play, found Sergio Villalba, who finished his chance past goalkeeper Carlos Calderon.
Heading into the halftime break, the Tigers commanded a 5-0 lead over the Bisons and would continue to pour in the goals as the second period kicked off.
Villalba, scoring in the 31st minute, notched another goal in the 56th minute for his second goal of the game, the Tigers sixth.
Just a minute later, Harding. Was able to add a tally to their own side of the scoresheet. Fort Hays State defender Miguel Baca committed a foul within the confines of the 18-yard box and was handed a yellow card. The Bison’s Christian Ramos stepped up to take the penalty kick and successfully found the back of the net.
Before long, FHSU piled on their seventh goal of the game when Alonso Rodriguez played a ball through the middle of the field to Agudelo, cutting to the left corner of the 18-yard box. The senior striker cut in on his right foot and displayed a curving finish between two Bison defenders.
The next Tiger point occurred under five minutes later. In the 80th minute, junior Mauricio Etcheverry was substituted into the match for Santiago Agudelo. In just three minutes, Etcheverry made his presence widely known with a cross from near the sideline. Flying through the air, senior Caden Frank eyed the ball and with his outstretched leg, was able to ricochet the ball past the Harding goalkeeper.
The 8-1 victory is the second largest margin in Fort Hays State men’s soccer
history – the team missing the all-time record by only one goal.
Freshman goalkeeper Kieran
Brown made three saves in his first collegiate start. Bevis
added two assists to his stat line.
After an offensively dominant week, Fort Hays State is now above the .500 mark (4-3-1 overall) and remain undefeated in Great American Conference play. The Tigers will be playing back in the FHSU Soccer Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5 against Newman University.