By FHSU Sports Information
SHAWNEE, Okla. – The 15th-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team dropped their first match of the season as they fell to No. 2 Midwestern State on Thursday (Sept. 6), 2-1. The Tigers dipped to 2-1 on the season, while the Mustangs improved to 2-0 on the year.
The Tigers and Mustangs were very conservative for the majority of the first half as neither team was able to cut through the opposing defense until the 35th minute as Mustang Hikaruhito Meike connected on a header goal on a pass from teammate Carlos Flores inside the left post to grab a 1-0 lead over the Tigers.
Fort Hays State trailed Midwestern State 1-0 at the break, as the Mustang defense stifled the Tiger offense with only allowing the Tigers to break away for three scoring chances. One of which was on target.
The second half was a bit more aggressive from both teams as the Tigers connected on a shot from Moritz Walther. Walther redirected a corner kick from Ross Boyd into the back-right post for his first goal as a Tiger.
MSU picked up the game-winning goal in the 77th minute of the match on a header from Ross Fitzpatrick on a free kick from Dylan Burke inside the right post.
FHSU was outshot by Midwestern State 15-7, with the Mustangs having a 6-2 edge in shots on goal. Cullen Fisch was charged with the loss in goal for the Tigers, picking up four saves in the contest.
The Tigers are back in action Sunday (Sept. 9) as they head back to Hays to host Metro State. The Tigers and Roadrunners will meet up for the first time as kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. inside FHSU Soccer Stadium.