FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
The 18th-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team heads to the state of Washington to take on a pair of teams for the first time in school history. On Thursday (Sept. 15) the Tigers take on Western Washington beginning at 9 pm (central time), before heading to Seattle Pacific on Saturday (Sept. 17) where kickoff is also set for 9 pm (central time).
The Tigers enter Thursday’s matchup with the Vikings at 2-1-1 overall. FHSU had a slow start offensively for FHSU in the first three games but exploded in game four hanging a seven spot on a very respectable UC-Colorado Springs team that was receiving votes in the national poll. Offensively, the Tigers are led by the sure-footed Maurizio Costa who has set teammates up for goals five times this season and chipped in with a goal of his own. Luis Torres has found the back of the net more times than any other Tiger this season with three to his credit, while Derick Gonzalez is right behind him with two goals this season including a double-overtime winner with two seconds remaining against Texas A&M International on September 8.
On the defensive end, the Tiger defense is anchored by Killian Gorman, Sergio Villalba and Drew Wilson who sit second, third and fourth in minutes played respectively.
Western Washington also enters Thursday’s match with an overall record of 2-1-1. Anthony Dean leads the Viking offense with eight points on the season (3 goals, 2 assists) and takes quality shots with his shots on goal percentage at an outstanding 100 percent (5-of-5). The real strength for WWU is its defense. As a team the Vikings have allowed just two goals all season with a 0.50 goals against average.
Just like the Tigers and Vikings, Seattle Pacific holds the same record to start 2016 at 2-1-1. After a draw and a loss to start the year, the Falcons have responded with two straight wins over Colorado Christian and Metro State scoring nine goals between the pair of matches. Stephen MacDonald is the key offensive threat for SPU. He has just as many goals (6) this season as the rest of the team combined.