By FHSU Sports Information
Already four games into the season, the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team has yet to play on their home turf for the 2018 season. However, this weekend, the Tigers will host their first home stand as they welcome MIAA foes Emporia State and Nebraska-Kearney to the stadium for two non-conference matchups. The Tigers head into the weekend at 1-2-1 overall following two-straight weekends on the road in Iowa followed by Colorado.
In the previous weekend out West, Fort Hays State took on a strong No. 17 squad in UC-Colorado Springs before previously undefeated CSU-Pueblo. In the first match, the Tigers captured the first lead of the game off a Cailey Perkins goal in the 54th minute. However, this lead would slip away at the end of regulation as UCCS’ Tarah Patterson notched two-straight goals followed by Amelia Junge earning her own as the Mountain Lions took the late-game, 3-1 win over the Tigers.
Against CSU-Pueblo, Fort Hays State deprived the ThunderWolves from boasting a 4-0 record as they settled on a tie at 2-2 following two overtime periods. Vianei Sanchez captured her first goal of the season early on in the game to take a 1-0 lead. However, the ThunderWolves would put one in right before the half as Hannah Andresen earned a rebounded goal off a Tiger defender. Quickly into the second half, they would strike again with Mackenzie Bean accounting for a goal just five minutes in. However, the Tigers would take the last strike with just 44 seconds remaining in regulation as Sanchez secured yet another goal to equal out the match. The tie was the first for the Tigers on the season.
Fort Hays State heads into the weekend with seven goals to their name, led by Chloe Montano with three. Sanchez is close behind at two alongside Perkins. Their opponents, however, are outshooting the Tigers at 45-61 throughout the first four matches. They boast a shots on goal percentage of .556. A strong force for the squad has been in the net as Megan Kneefel has collected 28 saves to hold a save percentage of .800.
Emporia State heads into the Friday match holding a 3-1 record and coming off a 2-0 win against Drury. The Hornets have spread the scoring love as eight players have captured at least one goal already. Rachel Marshall leads the team with two goals. Emporia State has the slight advantage over their opponents, outshooting them 55-51. Jillian Patton holds down the net for the Hornets alongside 16 saves with two shutouts to her name.
After their Friday match, the Tigers will switch their focus to hosting 2-2 Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday. The Lopers have won their past-two games, first with a 2-1 win at MSU-Billings followed by a 1-0 win over University of Mary. Ciera Clark leads the team with two goals on the season, while Tori Weber and Maddie Love have each added one goal for their team. The Lopers have attempted 45 shots boasting a shot percentage of .089. Two goalies have seen time for the Lopers, with Allie Prososki leading the charge with 16 saves alongside a 2-1 record in net. Emily Thuss has seen a limited amount of time, but has gathered one save in her playing time this season.
The Tigers will kick off against Emporia State on Friday (Sept. 14) at 7 p.m., with the Sunday (Sept. 16) meeting between Nebraska-Kearney set for 1 p.m.