By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State women’s soccer team is on a two-game win-streak following a 2-1 MIAA win at home against Missouri Western. This is the first time this season the Tigers have won consecutive games. With the victory, the Tigers improve to 4-5-2 overall alongside a 2-2 MIAA mark, while the Griffons drop to 7-4 and 2-2 in conference play.
Coming off their first conference win of the season, Fort Hays State had the momentum heading into Friday’s contest. With that energy in their favor, it only took just over six minutes to net the first goal. At the 6:23 mark in the first half, Cailey Perkins captured her third goal of the season off an assist from Maja Persa. Perkins found a flip pass on the right side from Persa before sliding it past a diving Griffon keeper. The 1-0 score would remain for the rest of the first half, sending the Tigers to the locker room with the lead.
The final 45 minutes of regulation remained a battle as neither team could find the back of the net. However, the Tigers would not be done as Zariah Smith earned her first goal of the season as she struck a 28-yard shot to the left side of the goal to give Fort Hays State a 2-0 lead. The Griffons accounted on one last chance late in the match as Claire Meyers notched her fourth goal of the season with just 12 seconds remaining in regulation. This goal cut into the Tiger lead, but would not be enough as FHSU secured the 2-1 win on their home field.
The Tigers and Griffons were even on their shot attempts, with both squads producing 12. Perkins and Missouri Western’s Meyers led all players with three shot attempts each. FHSU keeper Megan Kneefel takes the victory alongside three saves to improve her record on the year to 4-4-2, while Griffon keeper Anna Mayer dips to 6-3 with the loss after recording four saves on the day.
Next up for the Tigers is another home match on Sunday as they play host to Northwest Missouri State, a team who brings in a 1-8 record and winless MIAA mark at 0-3. That tilt is set for a 2:30 p.m. start following the FHSU men’s match against Lindenwood at 12 p.m.