By FHSU Sports Information
LA MIRADA, Calif. – The 18th-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team drew a tie with Biola University on Saturday (Sept. 15), 1-1. Neither team was able to come out victorious after 110 minutes of play. The Tigers moved to 3-2-1 overall on the season, while the Eagles moved to 2-2-1 on the season.
FHSU was aggressive in the early going as they outshot Biola 6-0 in the first 45 minutes of play. Six different Tigers took their shot at the net, while the Tiger defense held strong by not letting the Eagles slip through the strong Tiger defense even once. The squads went into intermission scoreless.
In the 78th minute of the match, Sergio Villalba connected on his fourth goal of the season on a free kick from 21 yards out. Villalba has now scored on three different free kicks this season. The Tiger advantage would not last long as the Eagles netted the equalizer on a header from Alejandro Pelayo who accepted a pass from Kousei Mattox on a corner kick just 1:25 after the Tigers took the lead.
Each team placed two more shots towards the goal, however, neither squad could convert anything more for the rest of regulation.
This was the first overtime match for FHSU, while it was the second contest that was sent to extra periods for Biola. In the first overtime period, neither team could gain any ground outside of two shots from the Tigers (one each from Abdoulaye Cisse and Moritz Walther). Neither the Tigers or the Eagles could settle the score in the first overtime period.
The second overtime period was much of the same as both defenses were strong and held their own. Only one shot by the Eagles was recorded in this period.
Fernando Pina earned the tie in the contest, making his 2018 season debut in the process. Pina allowed one goal on five shots faced, while recording two saves. Walther led the Tiger offense with three shots in the match, while four other Tigers took two shots.
Tonight’s match was the first tie for the Tigers since a 2-2 draw at Western Washington (9/16/2017).
The Tigers are back in action on Friday (Sept. 21) as they travel to Bolivar, Mo. to take on Southwest Baptist. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from SBU Soccer Field.