By ELI BLANKINSHIP Photos by TROY HEARD
Tiger Media Network
After taking down No. 13 Rockhurst University 4-1 in their season opener on Thursday, FHSU men’s soccer returned to the pitch just 48 hours later for their second matchday of the season.
Regis capitalized on a second-half goal in the 56th minute, which proved to be the lone goal of the game, defeating FHSU 1-0.
#11 Francisco Degiorgi Getting the ball around 
#36 Max Honcharevich Getting ready to throw the ball in 
#5 Gregorie Henri Passing forward 
#24 Muhammad Sarwar Challenging the ball 
#25 Tom Vincent Controling the ball 
#38 Tiernan Nicewander playing the ball forward 
Head Coach Alex Nichols taking the field 
Assistant Coach Felix Tellez Ramirez headed into locker room at half 
#25 Tom Vincent Getting ready for the seconed half 
#31 Dalton Cates getting into position 
#9 Davide Francesca Getting into position 
#7 Juan Linares Passing ball Forward 
#11 Francisco Degiorgi Attacking forward 
#20 Scott Dillion Head to Head 
#1 Payton Roechrich Heading onto the field
“I think we controlled pretty much 90% of the game,” said assistant coach Felix Tellez Ramirez. “They just had two clear chances, and one of them they were able to put in, but we stick to our themes. I think we [played] a really good game, and we just need to move forward with it.”
Originally scheduled for 3 pm, the match was moved back to a 7 pm kickoff due to extreme heat this past weekend. From start to finish, the contest was both grueling and physical, with a total of 40 combined fouls and 4 yellow cards handed out by center official Bryan Auten.
FHSU outshot Regis 10-7, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to find the back of the net. Jacobo Betancourt-Tovar scored the winning goal for Regis.
“We were expecting them to be a decent team,” said Tiernan Nicewander. “We played 90 minutes 48 hours ago, and then we had to come out here and play another 90, and it was a hard-fought battle. I think a lot of guys gave it their all, but today just wasn’t enough. We have a long season ahead of us, and we have a lot of great talent here, and if we keep working, we’ll get to where we want to be.”
Nicewander is listed on the roster as a forward, but due to injuries and absences, he has had to fill in as a center back for FHSU. Standing at 6’6”, the junior transfer from Phoenix College has been able to use his size to his advantage on the defensive end of the pitch.
“Originally, I’m a striker, but we ran low on center backs, due to injuries or guys not being able to play,” Nicewander said. “So I had played center back previously, and I let my coaches know, and I played there one game, and I think they liked me there. I have no problem filling in a position, [if it’s] what’s best for the team. If we need that position, I’ll play. I’m here for the team, not myself.”
Despite the loss, the Tigers have another match on the horizon to prepare for as they look to bounce back from suffering their first loss since falling in the semifinals of the national tournament last season.
“I think the boys are ready,” said Tellez Ramirez. “I think the boys took the loss in a hard way, and this is going to be only better for the future. Last year, we had only one loss, and it was in the final four, and we couldn’t recover from that. But I think these boys are going to recover really well. I think they are going to do a really good job on Wednesday, and we are just excited for it.”
The Tigers will next play William Jewel at 7 pm on Wednesday at FHSU Soccer Stadium.