FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
The No. 23 ranked Fort Hays State women’s soccer team enters a key weekend in their quest for a MIAA Regular Season Championship this Friday and Sunday (Oct. 21 & 23). The Tigers are in a three-way tie on top of the MIAA standings at 6-1, 10-3-1 overall. Joining FHSU at 6-1 is Central Missouri and Central Oklahoma. Northeastern State is just a game back at 5-2.
Northeastern State will be the first opponent for FHSU this weekend. The Tigers and RiverHawks meet at 7 pm on Friday. The Tigers wrap up the weekend with Central Oklahoma on Sunday at 11 am. This is a key weekend not only for conference standings, but for regional purposes as well. The Tigers are currently No. 5 in the region rankings, while Northeastern State is No. 3 and Central Oklahoma is No. 4. FHSU fell to the No. 1 team in the region, Central Missouri, earlier this year, but defeated the No. 2 team Minot State.
The Tiger defense has been dominant all season, allowing just 0.43 goals per game, but this two-match stretch may be the toughest they have faced all season. Northeastern State leads the MIAA in goals averaging 2.286 per game, while Central Oklahoma is right behind at 2.143 per game. FHSU has shut out its last three opponents, while limiting just seven combined shots on goal in that stretch.
Offensively the Tigers are led by Eden Stoddard. She leads the team in goals, having found the back of the net seven times this year. The seven goals rank her third in the MIAA. Thalya Dwyer has been another key asset with five goals. The key table setters for the Tigers this season have been Kelsey Steffens, Jasmine Beaulieu and Darby Hirsch, each with four assists.
Northeastern State is 12-2 overall and has one of the most dangerous players in the MIAA, Julia Mathis. Mathis leads the conference in points (24), goals (11) and game-winning goals (5). Anastasia Robinson has also played a big role, tied for the MIAA lead in assists with six.
Sunday’s matchup with Central Oklahoma is huge, especially if both teams win Friday. The Bronchos face off with Nebraska-Kearney before heading to Hays. Heading into the weekend the Bronchos and Tigers have the exact same record, 10-3-1 overall and 6-1 in the conference. The UCO offense is led by the duo of Katie Killion and Asha Haile. The pair have combined for 12 of the squad’s 30 goals this season at six each, tied for fifth in the MIAA. Killion is also tied for third in the conference with 15 points, setting up teammates for scores three times this season.