By FHSU Sports Information
HAYS, Kan. – For yet a third-straight match, the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team took to extra time to decide on a winner. This time, however, the Tigers came out on top as Darby Hirsch netted an early overtime goal off an assist from Cailey Perkins to seal a 1-0 non-conference win over Nebraska-Kearney.
With the tie, the Tigers even out to 2-2-2, while the Lopers are now 2-4 overall.
On a windy day in Hays, both teams had to fight against that obstacles on the field. The Tigers saw this advantage with the wind to their back as they attempted 14 shots compared to just five from the Lopers. In the first 45 minutes, Nebraska-Kearney held the shot advantage during the only period for them in favor of the wind as they out-shot the Tigers 4-2. However, in the second with the switch of sides, FHSU recorded 11 shots over just one from the Lopers.
After another 90 minutes of scoreless play, the Tigers headed into a third-straight match needing extra play. The previous two overtime matches have ended in ties for Fort Hays State, making this the first OT win of the season for the Tigers.
After Hirsch attempted the game-high five shots on the day, her final was the most important. In the 93rd minute of play, Perkins slipped behind a Loper defender to find Hirsch waiting near the goal. A quick pass from Perkins found the foot of Hirsch who pushed it past Nebraska-Kearney goalkeeper Ali Hirschmann to give the Tigers their second win of the season at 1-0. This was Hirsch’s first goal of her junior campaign while Perkins captured her second assist for the season.
Hirschmann was a strong presence in the net for the Lopers throughout the rest of the matches, bringing in eight saves even with the wind as her enemy. Hirschmann takes the loss in her first appearance this season for UNK and drops to 0-1.
Megan Kneefel captures her second win of the season to mirror her team’s record at 2-2-2 following two saves on the day, advancing her season total to 35.
Fort Hays State travels to Topeka to take on Washburn in its final non-conference match of the season. Gametime is set for 6 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 21). The Tigers open up MIAA play following that contest with Emporia State on the road on Sunday (Sept. 23) at 2 p.m.