Story by ELI BLANKINSHIP Photos by ARLENE MALDONADO and CARLEIGH KLITZKE
Tiger Media Network
With winds reaching 20+ miles per hour on Sunday afternoon, Fort Hays State women’s soccer hosted the No. 3 Pittsburg State Gorillas in their second-to-last home matchday of the season. The Tigers came away with a 0-0 draw against the Gorillas, who occupy 3rd place in the MIAA standings.
“The biggest thing for us in this group is trying to see them come together defensively,” said first-year Head Coach Alex Hagan. “Together, we feel like we can build a good, strong defense, which I think we showed today, and then we can add the goals as we kind of go through it. But setting up that foundation defensively, I think, especially against the No. 3 team in the country, is a great place to do that. I think the team did a great job showing up today.”
The whole soccer team gathered up to take a picture with the posters for fighting hard. 
Grace and Chloe also receive posters with a huge smile on their faces for the support. 
At the end of the game, FHSU supporters and fans came in a line to hand out posters for the team such as Delanie and Ally as they showed their posters proudly. 
Isabelle Mull makes a great play and brings an advantage to the team. 
Isabelle Mull defends hard as Pittsburg tries to take the upper hand. 
Senior Katie Stoskopf gives instructions and prepares to catch the kick. 
Katie Stoskopf catches a ball after a very close goal. 
As Pittsburg gets a chance to hit a goal, the teams gather up and prepare to resume 
Alyssa Estanich passes the ball in an attempt to reach the goal. 
Erin Cate speeds ahead while the Fort Hays soccer team gets an advantage. 
Erin Cate defending and blocking the way for a Pitt State player 
Taylor Hill looks around to see which tactic will work best to make a score.
FHSU vs Pitt State – ARLENE MALDONADO
The Tigers (2-7-4, 0-5-3) had the wind at their back during the first half of play, allowing them to press further up the pitch and generate some offensive opportunities. However, when the match was said and done, the Tigers ended with just 2 total shots compared to 22 for Pitt State (10-0-4, 4-0-4).
For the FHSU defense, it was all hands on deck in the second half. Pitt State played with the wind and mustered 13 shots in the second half alone. The Gorillas managed 6 shots on goal in the contest compared to just 1 for FHSU.
“The last 10 minutes were very stressful,” said junior midfielder Erin Cate. “We defended basically the whole second half, and we were able to push through as one. We were lifting each other up through it and cheering each other on. We got a tackle, and we brought the energy, so it wasn’t difficult, but it definitely was challenging.”
FHSU has conceded just 2 goals over its last three matches and has played to a draw in all three of those games. Between the sticks for FHSU, senior goalkeeper Katie Stoskopf has recorded 15 saves in those matches with a save percentage of 87.7%.
FHSU women’s soccer gather to celebrate a goal during their match against Missouri Western. 
Junior midfielder Erin Cate (#21) moves the ball towards the goal while being challenged by a Missouri Western defender 
Erin Cate (#21) challenges a Missouri Western player near the goal as goalkeeper Katie Stoskopf (#00) prepares to defend 
Junior midfielder Berkley Sparks (#7) races alongside a Missouri Western player as both teams compete for possession during the first half 
Berkley Sparks (#7) advances upfield while a defender works to keep pace 
Erin Cate (#21) watches the ball 
Erin Cate (#21) pursues the ball against a defender as the other FHSU soccer team looks to create an offensive opportunity 
Midfielder Maddy Spiers (#13) runs while watching the ball 
Goalkeeper Katie Stoskopf (#00) kicks the ball away from the goal area 
Defender Anjaleena Gomez (#2) runs upfield 
Anjaleena Gomez (#2) watches the play develop as FHSU prepares for its next opportunity
FHSU vs Missouri Western – CARLEIGH KLITZKE
Despite sitting in last place in the MIAA standings, the Tigers are just one point behind Newman, who just picked up their first win of the season on the road against Rogers State.
“[The result] means a lot,” Cate said. “It [gives us] a lot of confidence, and it just shows that we can compete with everybody. It doesn’t matter who you are. You can always compete.”
FHSU Women’s Soccer returns to the pitch at 12 p.m. on Sunday against Northwest Missouri State in their final home contest of the year.