Tigers advance to MIAA Semifinals on Steffens’ golden goal

It took 108 minutes, but Fort Hays State advanced to the MIAA Tournament Semifinals on a game-winning goal by Kelsey Steffens in double overtime.  The third-seeded Tigers defeated sixth-seeded Missouri Western, 1-0, in the first round on Wednesday evening in Hays, Kan.FHSU (13-4-2) will now play No. 2 seed Southwest Baptist on Friday, Nov. 7 in Olathe, Kan.  Game time for Friday is 7 p.m.

Fort Hays State stormed out of the gates, firing eight shots in the initial 15 minutes against a Missouri Western defense that has allowed just 16 goals in the regular season.  The Griffons’ defense bent, but did not break against the Tigers’ 14 total shots in the opening frame.  FHSU held MWSU to just one shot in the first 45 minutes, stifling the Griffons’ offense to keep the match scoreless at the break.

Out of the pause, the wind seemed to slow the Tigers offense slightly, as MWSU picked up the pace to match FHSU for much of the half, outshooting the home team 6-5 in the final period of regulation. MWSU got the wind for the first overtime and charged hard, firing four shots (two on goal), but couldn’t capitalize.

Closing down on the end of the second overtime, the teams appeared headed for a shootout before Makatura’s pass from near midfield found Steffens alone at the upper left corner of the box.  Steffens took two dribbles and ripped a shot towards the near post, finding the net to clinch the win.

Mallory Diederich and Cenayda Guzman led the team with four shots apiece, followed by Steffens’ three shots.  Hannah Smith, Diederich and Jamie Babyak played all 107 minutes for the Tigers defense.

In the net, Kristen Thompson had four saves in a complete game performance, pushing her shutout total to 11 for the year.

The Tigers are now 4-0 all-time in the MIAA Tournament, winning the championship in 2012.