FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
The 21st-ranked Fort Hays State women’s soccer team looks for its first MIAA regular season title this weekend with two matches remaining. First, the Tigers head to Nebraska-Kearney on Friday (Oct. 28) for an afternoon match starting at 2 pm. Then they will wrap up the regular season at home against Washburn for Senior Day on Sunday (Oct. 30) at 11 am.
The Tigers enter the weekend tied with No. 4 ranked Central Missouri for the top spot in the MIAA at 8-1. Overall the Tigers are 12-3-1 and if they win both of the games this weekend, they will tie the program record for wins in the season with 14. Two wins would guarantee the program’s first-ever conference regular season title, whether it be outright or a share. Central Missouri has matches at home against Lindenwood and Missouri Western.
The success for FHSU this season has been largely predicated on its dominating defense. The Tigers are 11th in the nation in goals against average (.417), allowing just seven goals in 16 matches. In addition FHSU goalkeepers have been outstanding in their own right, combining to rank 17th in the nation in save percentage. Abbie Flax ranks 14th in the nation in save percentage.
On the offensive end, seven Tigers have scored multiple goals on the year and 11 have found the back of the net at least once. Eden Stoddard leads the team and is tied for third in the MIAA with seven goals. Darby Hirsch is the team leader in assists with five and is tied for third in the conference, while Kelsey Steffens and Jasmine Beaulieu are right behind her with four each.
Nebraska-Kearney enters the weekend 6-7-3 overall and 3-4-2 in the MIAA. The Lopers have struggled offensively this season, outscored by opponents 16-14. The strong point has been their defense limiting opposing offenses to just one goal per game, good for sixth in the conference.
Washburn is one of the three teams to get the better of the Tigers this year as they took the first matchup, a non-conference match, by the score of 1-0 back on Sept. 23 in Topeka. Washburn is 9-6-1 overall and 5-4 in the MIAA. The Ichabods head to Emporia State for a Friday night matchup before making the trip west to Hays. The key offensive threat for the Ichabods is Morgan El-Attrache, who leads the team in goals (4) and assists (3). Emily Stauffer has chipped in with three goals this season.