FHSU SPORTS INFOMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team dropped a hard-fought match to Lindenwood on Sunday (Oct. 9) by a score of 3-2. With the loss the No. 16 ranked Tigers now sit at 7-3-1 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA. The No. 22 ranked Lions are now alone at the top of the MIAA standings with an overall record of 9-2-2 and 4-0 mark in the conference.
The Lions got on the board early when they scored just 2:08 into the match. Nijaz Muratovic was able to gain possession of a loose ball in the Tiger box then rifled it past the Tiger keeper, Michael Yantz, for his third goal of the season. They extended their lead in the 32nd minute when leading scorer Xhovani Dokaj found the back of the net for his 12th goal of the season. Similar to the first goal, Dokaj was in the right place at the right time when a loose ball landed at his feet and with a strike put Lindenwood up 2-0.
The Tigers looked like a different team in the second half as they came out with intensity. Derick Gonzalez cut the lead in half with his sixth goal of the season. Mauricio Castorino lobbed a slow ball into the box that found Gonzalez who drilled it past the keeper. In the 63rd minute, Luis Torres made it a 2-2 game with his sixth goal of the season. Torres took advantage of a loose ball that was bouncing around in the box and about six yards out got a good strike to get it past the keeper.
With all the momentum in their favor by outworking Lindenwood the entire second half, the Tigers let the golden opportunity for a comeback win slip away with just 1:35 to play in regulation. Lindenwood set up one of its few opportunities in the second half methodically as Jose Sanchez was the beneficiary of some nifty passing from Dokaj and Gaspar Alvarez. He was able to get a flick on the ball in front of the net that would send the Lions to their eighth consecutive win.
Michael Yantz took the loss in net for the Tigers with three saves and drops to 5-3-1 this season.
The Tigers look to bounce back on Saturday (Oct. 15) when they take a break from MIAA play. They host University of Mary at 7 pm in Hays.