The Fort Hays State University men’s soccer team (3-3-1, 1-1 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) defended their home field by defeating the Lindenwood Lions (2-3-2, 1-1 MIAA) 8-0 on Thursday, Sept. 25. The Lions won the MIAA regular season last year with a conference record of 7-0-1.
The Tigers came out strong offensively 9 minutes into the game with their first score from David Lucio, Wichita junior. The assist from Michael Cole, Round Rock, Tx. junior, from down by the left end line found Lucio in the middle of box for a one-touch goal to the low left side of the net.
Around the 32 minute mark, the Tigers capitalized off of a Lindenwood penalty during a corner kick, allowing Diego Cabral to punch in the second goal for FHSU. Cabral’s penalty shot hit the left side goal, stirring great momentum for the Tigers and resulting in a score of 2-0.
After the penalty kick goal, LWU freshman Jeremy Tutas received two yellow cards consecutively, which is equivalent to a red card and ejection for the Lion. This put the Tigers at an advantage, playing up one more player.
Right before halftime, Brian Ness, Olathe freshman, took his shot with a nice defensive steal from the upper right corner of the box with only 41 seconds before halftime. This sent the Tigers to the break, up 3-0 on the Lindenwood Lions.
Lindenwood decided to replace the goalkeeper after the half. Cole scored his first goal after a LWU foul call. Receiving a rushed pass from Cabral as the LWU argued the call, Cole shot from the left side of the box, putting the Tigers up 4–0 at the 59 minute mark.
Cole grabbed his second goal of the night after a late cross-kick from Austin Clifton, Wichita junior, who was almost forced out of bounds at the end line. The kick was up and across to the other side of the net where it connected with Cole for a header, who was about three feet out from the net. The Tigers were up 5–0 around the 61 minute mark.
“I expected it because I expect Clifton to beat his defender every time,” said Cole when asked if he was ready for the cross kick. “He really put a great ball in. I always trust my teammate.”
The Tigers were relentless at this point. Joe Albright, Winfield junior, gets a one-touch goal after being passed from Anthony Hernandez, Oklahoma City sophomore, and Drew Wilson, Overland Park sophomore, about two and half minutes later, putting the Tigers up 6–0.
The Tigers were put up a two-player advantage when a LWU player received the Lions’ second red card for the night.
Maurizio Costa, Asuncion, Paraguay freshman, beat his defender after a pass from Hernandez. Costa shot across the box, finding the lower right corner of the goal and putting the Tigers up 7–0.
The Tigers last goal came from Kyle Markovits only a minute later. Markovits set up for a free kick about 20 yards out. The kick bounced off a LWU defender, got past the Lindenwood goalkeeper, and set a new record for the Tigers with eight total goals in a single game.
The Tigers defense was obviously present, keeping the Lions scoreless. Kent Freund, Garland, Tx. senior, got his second shutout this season while posting up three saves, with the defense only allowing the Lions 11 shots.
“I have to credit my defense a lot. They really stepped up and played well tonight,” said Freund. “They had a few decent chances but the defense stepped in front of them, blocked shots, and gave them a hard time finding the angles to shoot. Overall, the defense played really well tonight.”
Head coach Brett Parker was proud of the way his players handle themselves throughout the match. “Our discipline was most impressive when there were some bad tackles and some red cards,” said Parker. “Our guys kept their cool. They didn’t lose discipline. They stayed focused and kept in the game without moving over to that side of it in the ‘chippiness’ and the bad fouls.”
Coming off a weekend of two losses, Parker was excited to get this win. “We really needed a feel good win. Even the two wins we have, we haven’t felt great about,” said Parker. “We haven’t played our best, so this is was definitely something that was much needed. We really needed some confidence, and what a better way than a good, sound win over a really good team.”
The FHSU Tigers’ next game is at home Saturday, Sept. 27th against Southwest Baptist (0-8).