FHSU Sports Information Department
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Fort Hays State led for nearly 60 minutes before a bizarre finish on the road at Northeastern State on Sunday (Nov. 1). The Tigers fell 3-2 as NSU buried two penalty kicks in the final six minutes of the game to escape the 20th-ranked Tigers on its home field.
Anthony Hernandez put the Tigers in front 1-0 in the 11th minute after a nice pass off the heel of Mauricio Castorino. FHSU held that advantage until the 70th minute when NSU’s Trevor Reed scored a header off a free kick.
The Tigers looked as if they would escape with a win when Maurizio Costa buried a penalty kick at 84:01, but then all sorts of chaos ensued.
Only 20 seconds later, the Tigers were whistled for a violation in the box, setting up a penalty kick for Jonathan Guzman who squared the match again.
Then at 87:13, Luis Torres was issued a red card for a play in the box and Guzman scored another penalty kick to put the RiverHawks in front with less than two minutes to play.
Fort Hays State put two shots on net in the final two minutes, but both were saved. Jackson Biles picked up the win in goal for NSU with seven saves. Michael Yantz took the loss for FHSU with four saves.
Even with the loss, Fort Hays State still controls its own destiny in conference play. The Tigers will need to win their final two home games this coming week against Upper Iowa and Lindenwood to win an MIAA Championship. Anything else and they come up short of claiming their first conference crown.