{"id":98619,"date":"2026-08-28T10:35:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T15:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=98619"},"modified":"2026-08-28T14:33:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T19:33:19","slug":"back-like-they-never-left-no-3-mens-soccer-handles-business-in-season-opener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=98619","title":{"rendered":"Back like they never left: No. 3 men\u2019s soccer handles business in season opener."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Story by ELI BLANKINSHIP, Photos by TROY HEARD, Video by BRYNN RAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After a historic season that concluded in the national semifinals, the FHSU men\u2019s soccer team took to the pitch Thursday afternoon to begin the 2026 season against No. 13 Rockhurst. It was a familiar foe for the Tigers, as FHSU and Rockhurst have played in their season opener for the past three years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As was the case in 2024 and 2025, FHSU defeated the Hawks &#8211; this time by a score of 4-1.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper-container\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98632\" data-id=\"98632\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-5.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-5-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-5-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-5-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-5-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-5-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-5-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-5-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-5-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#11 Francisco Degiorgi &amp; #14 Francesco Valenti Celebrating a Goal together<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"790\" height=\"527\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98620\" data-id=\"98620\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-42.jpg?resize=790%2C527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-42-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-42-scaled.jpg?resize=370%2C247 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-42-scaled.jpg?resize=150%2C100 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-42-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-42-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-42-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-42-scaled.jpg?w=2370 2370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">FHSU Mens Soccer linup being anounced.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98621\" data-id=\"98621\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-47.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-47.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-47.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-47.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-47.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-47.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-47.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-47.jpg?w=1696 1696w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-47.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#3 JJ Espinosa getting ready for match<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98624\" data-id=\"98624\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-15.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-15-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-15-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-15-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-15-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-15-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-15-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-15-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-15-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#35 Julius Peterson Getting ready to throw in the ball<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98622\" data-id=\"98622\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-21.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-21-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-21-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-21-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-21-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-21-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-21-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-21-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-21-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#11 Francisco Degiorgi Plyaing ball away from defense<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98623\" data-id=\"98623\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-27.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-27-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-27-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-27-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-27-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-27-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-27-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-27-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-27-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#7 Juan Linares &amp; #11 Franisco Degiorgi Celebrating together after goal<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98625\" data-id=\"98625\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-30.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-30-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-30-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-30-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-30-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-30-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-30-scaled.jpg?resize=1366%2C2048 1366w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-30-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-30-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#10 Len Valkema Celebrating Call made by Referee<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98626\" data-id=\"98626\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-3.jpg?resize=682%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-3.jpg?resize=682%2C1024 682w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-3.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-3.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-3.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-3.jpg?w=1349 1349w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#11 Francisco Degiorgi &amp; #3 JJ Espinosa Hyping each other up after a goal<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98627\" data-id=\"98627\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-8.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-8-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-8-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-8-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-8-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-8-scaled.jpg?resize=1366%2C2048 1366w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-8-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-8-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#24 Muhammad Sarwar Playing ball up<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98628\" data-id=\"98628\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-9.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-9-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-9-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-9-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-9-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-9-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-9-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-9-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-9-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#20 Scott Dillion Getting ready to kick a corner kick<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98629\" data-id=\"98629\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-10.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-10-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-10-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-10-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-10-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-10-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-10-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-10-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-10-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#31 Dalton Cates Defending off defender<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98630\" data-id=\"98630\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-12.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-12-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-12-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-12-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-12-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-12-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-12-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-12-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-12-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#10 Len Valkema playing ball forward<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98631\" data-id=\"98631\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-32.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-32-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-32-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-32-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-32-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-32-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-32-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-32-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-32-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#25 Tom Vincent Viewing the play field<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98633\" data-id=\"98633\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-35.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-35-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-35-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-35-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-35-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-35-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-35-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-35-scaled.jpg?w=1706 1706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-35-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#14 Francessco Valenti Passing ball into goal box<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-98634\" data-id=\"98634\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-37.jpg?resize=683%2C1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-37-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-37-scaled.jpg?resize=173%2C260 173w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-37-scaled.jpg?resize=100%2C150 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-37-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-37-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-37-scaled.jpg?resize=1366%2C2048 1366w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-37-scaled.jpg?w=1707 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/fhsumsoccer082726-37-scaled.jpg?w=1580 1580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">#10 Len Valkema passing ball forward<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;re proud of the win today,\u201d said FHSU head coach Alex Nichols. \u201cWe have a ton of respect for Rockhurst. They&#8217;re a [well] coached team, and they&#8217;ve always got good players. Our guys stepped up today and did a really good job, but we\u2019ve got a long way to go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With just five returning players, there were many new faces on the pitch for the Tigers. Juan Linares, a returning sophomore, broke open the scoring in the 17th minute by slotting a penalty kick just past the fingertips of the Hawks&#8217; goalkeeper Samuele Neri in the bottom left corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not long after, in the 20th minute, the Tigers found the net once again. Filippo Moncada, a freshman from Palermo, Italy, scored to put FHSU ahead 2-0 at halftime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a brand new team, so it&#8217;s hard for players,\u201d Nichols said. \u201cIt&#8217;s hard for coaches. Brand new is just hard. It&#8217;s awesome, but it&#8217;s incredibly hard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FHSU Men&#039;s Soccer defeats Rockhurst to open 2026 season\" width=\"790\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/r-JLt1XDlOI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Both sides struggled to create chances right after halftime. Neither side scored until another Tiger newcomer found the back of the net in the 72nd minute. Francisco Degiorgi whipped in a right-footed shot to the back post to increase FHSU\u2019s lead to 3-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis year we have a great group of guys,\u201d said sophomore goalkeeper Payton Roehrich. \u201cIt&#8217;s all about just keeping the morale high. People might not agree with certain things, but I think it [requires] just buying in, and it seems today that everyone&#8217;s done that really well. I really can\u2019t be more proud of this team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Roehrich was recently named captain of the squad after being an integral part of the Tigers&#8217; postseason run in the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s more or less just keeping the same confidence as last year, but also knowing that I have a role in this team that&#8217;s more than last year,\u201d Roehrich said. \u201cIt has definitely been a learning experience, but I\u2019m grateful to God for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>FHSU\u2019s final goal came from the Northeast (Neb.) Community College transfer Len Valkema. The Dutch sophomore scored a tap-in in the 75th minute to cap off a complete team performance by the Tigers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the final moments of the contest, Rockhurst\u2019s Sam McIntosh scored a consolation penalty kick against backup goalkeeper Marco Rosa, who came on to relieve Roehrich of his duties.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 4-1 victory marks the fifth year in a row that FHSU has won its season opener.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tigers will next play Regis at home on Saturday. The game has been moved to 7 pm due to excessive heat from its scheduled 3 pm start time at FHSU Soccer Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Story submitted as part of Convergent Media Lab, a course within the Department of Computer Science and Informatics at Fort Hays State University<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Story by ELI BLANKINSHIP, Photos by TROY HEARD, Video by BRYNN RAY Tiger Media Network After a historic season that concluded in the national semifinals,&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":98635,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3392,7349],"tags":[16379,15753,3446,725,16584],"class_list":["post-98619","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mens-soccar","category-sports","tag-brynn-ray","tag-eli-blankinship","tag-fhsu-mens-soccer","tag-mens-soccer","tag-troy-heard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Mens-Soccer-Featuer.png?fit=777%2C404","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98619","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=98619"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98619\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98658,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98619\/revisions\/98658"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/98635"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=98619"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=98619"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=98619"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}