By FHSU Sports Information
PUEBLO, Colo. – The 90 minutes of regulation was not enough to decide on a winner on Sunday, leaving the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team to settle in a draw against CSU-Pueblo, 2-2. The ThunderWolves, who were previously untouched, dip their record to 3-0-1 while the Tigers move to 1-2-1 overall.
The Tigers gained control first as senior Vianei Sanchez captured her first goal of the season off a scramble in front of the goal to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead early in the game as she capitalized on a solo shot in the 13th minute. This goal would hold steady as the lone point for either team until the 41st minute when CSU-Pueblo’s Hannah Andresen tied up the match at 1-1. The first 45 minutes saw the Tigers only attempting five shots compared to the ThunderWolves 11.
Not long after the beginning of the second half, Mackenzie Bean sealed her second goal of the season in the 50th minute to put the ThunderWolves ahead at 2-1. CSU-Pueblo seemed to be maintaining the pace of the game and hopeful of picking up their fourth win of the season, but Sanchez had other plans. With just 44 seconds remaining in regulation, Sanchez earned an assist from Darby Hirsch and netted the ball to even up the match from inside the box, eventually forcing overtime.
Through two ten-minute overtimes, neither team could get back on top, ending the match locked at 2-2. The ThunderWolves held the advantage in the game in shots, attempting 25 over Fort Hays State’s 15, with the shots on goal margin going 9-13 in favor of CSU-Pueblo. The fouls were frequent in the 110 minutes played with the Tigers picking up 15 and the ThunderWolves being called on 10.
Megan Kneefel continues to be a strong force within the net for the Tigers as she collected 11 saves on the day. Kneefel now owns a record of 1-2-1 with 28 total saves through four matches. Alexa Eastep also notches a tie to her record as she capture seven saves of her own against the Tigers.
The Tigers will make their first home appearance of the season as they play host to two matches this upcoming weekend. First up, FHSU faces off against MIAA foe Emporia State Friday at 7 p.m. On Sunday, the Tigers welcome another conference opponent in Nebraska-Kearney for a 1 p.m. showdown. Both matches will remain non-conference.