FHSU Sports Information Department
HAYS, Kan. – The 25th-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team picked up a big win on Senior Day over Lindenwood Sunday (Nov. 8). The Tigers were able to outlast the Lions in a 1-0 nail-biter after drawing 0-0 with the Lions earlier in the season.
The first half was evenly matched despite the heavy south wind blowing against the Tigers. Both teams were able to get off five shots in the half and both seemed to have several other opportunities before the half was over. The Tigers were able to make good on one of those opportunities, scoring the first and only goal of the game.
FHSU defender Killian Gorman launched a ball down the left side to find a streaking Brian Ness. Ness used his breakaway speed to pull away from the Lion defender to create a one-on-one with the goalkeeper who came charging out of his net. With the keeper approaching quickly, Ness slipped the ball past the diving keeper in the bottom right corner and across the goal line for his first goal of the season.
At halftime, Fort Hays State thanked the senior members of the team with a nice ceremony involving their family members. Seniors Daniel Molina, Joe Albright, Kyle Markovits, David Lucio, Austin Clifton, and Addison Pauler were all honored during this ceremony.
The second half produced a lot of action and tempers flared a bit as time was winding down. The Tigers were able to get off eight shots, and the Lions were able to produce five, but neither team was able to find a way to get the ball in the goal thanks to some stout defense on both ends. Hard physical play throughout the entire match produced a yellow card for both teams and an ejection for Lindenwood, which required them to play the last 4:15 a man down.
Fort Hays State goalkeeper Michael Yantz was impressive in net all game stopping two shots he faced from the Lions and picked up his fifth shutout of the season. Andrew Hamerlinck took the tough-luck loss for Lindenwood with three saves.
Fort Hays State will find out its NCAA Tournament fate on Monday evening (Nov. 9) at 5 pm Central Time during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on NCAA.com. The Tigers were No. 1 in the region rankings entering the final week of play and they finished with a record of 12-5-1. Upper Iowa finished at 13-3-1 and Northeastern State was 12-6. Several formulas go into the selection, so with the closeness of the records, it’s hard to tell if any team is a lock for the two spots up for grabs in the tournament. FHSU went 1-1 in the final week with a loss to Upper Iowa and the win Sunday against Lindenwood.