Story by MAYAN PAZ Photos by RORY MOORE and PARKER NISBETH
Tiger Media Network
Editor’s Note: FHSU women’s soccer did not make themselves available for comment to TMN after the weekend’s contests.
The Fort Hays State University women’s soccer team hosted its first two conference home games over homecoming weekend. The Tigers lost to Central Missouri 2-0 on Friday and played to a 1-1 draw against Emporia State on Sunday.
On Friday FHSU (5-2-3, 2-1-1) hosted No. 7 UCM, attempting to beat the Jennies for the first time since 2015. After a lively back and forth through the first ten minutes of the game, senior defender and captain Emily Hutchings suffered an injury and would not return.
UCM (7-2-1, 4-0) capitalized on Hutchings’ absence and scored a goal 11 minutes into the game on an assist from Ashleigh Martin to Lexi Ruf.
In the second half, the Jennies used their depth to pressure the injury-laden FHSU defense, threatening graduate-transfer Mackenzie Caldwell’s goal again and again. In a terrific goalkeeping showdown, both Caldwell and UCM keeper Kristen Wright both finished with three saves.
However, Caldwell’s performance was not enough for the Tigers, as theystruggled on the offensive side. In the 85th minute, Andree Orcutt scored on a free-kick from about 20 yards out of the goal to seal the Jennies win with the result of 2-0.
The Fort Hays State University Tigers walk on field beside the Central Missouri Jennies. 
Forward Allison Worley attempts to take a live ball dribbled by the Jennies’ Gracie Knight. 
Forward Montserrat Diaz cuts through Jennies offense to steal a live ball. 
Worley springs towards a Jennies ball. 
Midfielder Laila Cook played for 39 minutes in the game against the Jennies. 
Taylor Hill fights for control beside Central Missouri offense. 
Cook steals a live ball from Central Missouri.
Just 36 hours later, the Tigers stepped on the pitch again to face Emporia State (3-3-2, 1-1-1) and try to recover from Friday’s defeat. After a close and competitive match, the teams parted with a 1-1 draw. FHSU had one final chance as time expired when forward Taylor Hill attempted a long-distance shot that went slightly wide, nearly grazing the left goal post from the outside.
Senior forward Allison Worley, FHSU’s leading scorer last season, scored her first goal for the season after seven minutes with a good finish, taking advantage of a mistake by the Emporia goalkeeper. The Tigers were the dominant side in the first half but could not capitalize on and went into halftime with a one-goal lead.
The Hornets started the second half with a blitz on the Tiger’s defense and scored the equalizer only two minutes into the second half. A well-organized attack ended with a close-distance header by Hadlie Lowe, assisted by Sade Lee.
FHSU Warming up for their game against Emporia State 
FSHU walking with young soccer players from Hays 
These young Hays soccer players were showcased at a college soccer game 
FHSU goalie Mackenzie Caldwell waiting for some action 
#5 Jiselle Batres from FHSU preparing to get the ball 
ESU player makes contact with FHSU. 
FHSU gets a free kick to send it to Emporia’s side 
FHSU waiting on a free corner kick 
Caldwell sending the ball flying 
#16 Britney Arneson cutting off the ball 
#22 Laila Cook Gains control and passes the ball towards a teammate 
Arneson getting fancy and catching her opponents off guard 
Cook helping teammates get into position 
#5 Batres racing towards the ball to stop the attack 
Laila jumping for the ball and missing along with an Emporia player 
Arneson gains control of the ball 
Sullivan Kelly executing a free kick 
Kintzli Wagner getting kicked by Emporia #16 
Cook controlling the ball in front of Emporia #5 
Wagner controlling the ball and about to pass forward to a teammate
The game continued to be tight, with both teams creating opportunities to score, but some missed opportunities by the attackers kept the score level. Caldwell finished a solid game between the posts with four saves.
In the last few minutes of the game, FHSU tried to create another goal and came close twice. Hill attempted to chip the ball above the goalkeeper from over 30 yards, and again Hill had the last shot of the game, that went slightly wide as the buzzer sounded.
FHSU is now fourth in the MIAA standings and will go on the road to face Central Oklahoma University (4-4-2, 1-1-2) on Friday the before returning home to play Newman (0-9-1, 0-4) on Sunday.