FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State fell in the national quarterfinal match for a third consecutive year as Rockhurst capitalized on one mistake early in the second half to escape Hays with a 1-0 decision. The Tigers outshot the Hawks, but saw their season end at 14-5-1 overall. Rockhurst moved to 18-2-3 overall.
All four of Fort Hays State’s first half shots were great goal-scoring opportunities, but the frame of the goal got in the way on three of the attempts. At 16:12 Maurizio Costa had a great try from just inside the 18-yard box hit the right post past a diving keeper. Three minutes later, the Tigers were denied once more on a flurry of attempts at the goal. Mauricio Castorino had a one-on-one with the keeper Logan Feldmann that he shot right into Feldmann’s hands. Michael Cole collected the rebound and Feldmann made another save as the ball rebounded out near the top of the box. Derick Gonzalez struck the ball and it hit the crossbar. The Tigers could have easily scored twice in those offensive situations and it would ultimately come back to sting in the end.
The mistake by the Tigers occurred in the 49th minute when Killian Gorman was unable to get enough on header intended for goalkeeper Michael Yantz. Rockhurst had sent two passes forward from Sal Caruso and Adam Michel that got to the top of the box and with Gorman not able to get enough pace on his header, Kaleb Jackson dashed in to chip the ball over the hands of Yantz for the only goal of the match.
The Tigers had two more great opportunities in the final 10 minutes of the match. Arsenio Chamorro had a shot in near the net off a pass that found a diving Feldmann in the 82nd minute. In the match’s final minute, Derick Gonzalez also had a strike in near the goal that once again found Feldmann’s arms and the Hawks ran out the clock.
Feldmann had seven saves in goal to send the Hawks to the national semifinals for the second straight year. He moved to 18-2-3 with the win. Michael Yantz made three saves for FHSU and went to 8-5-1 on the season. Fort Hays State outshot Rockhurst 13-8 in the match.
The Tigers are now the three-time defending Central Region Champion and this was the first time FHSU earned the right to host the Super Regional on its home field.