By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – After claiming three-straight MIAA wins, the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team suffered a 1-0 road loss to NCAA Division II defending national champions, Central Missouri. The Tigers dip to 5-6-2 overall while owning a 3-3 record in conference play. The No. 17 Jennies improve to 10-2-1 and 4-1-1 in MIAA contests.
The Jennies had something to prove as they were coming off a 2-0 loss to No. 16 Central Oklahoma. Central Missouri made sure they would not be shutout tonight as they were quick to get on the scoreboard against FHSU. In just the 13th minute, Maria Wilder netted her second goal of the season off an assist from Haley Freeman on the right lower side of the goal. This put the Jennies up 1-0 and would be the only goal in the match as the defending champions claimed the close victory.
Fort Hays State was able to keep Central Missouri out of the net in the second half to keep the match within reach. The Tigers also were competive in shots, with 13 compared to UCM’s 15. Two Tigers were awarded yellow cards in the contest, as Zariah Smith recorded one in the 69th minute and Emily Naysmith earned her card just as time was expiring.
Megan Kneefel suffers the loss in goal to drop her season record to 5-5-2 while increasing her saves to 57 after collecting six on the night. UCM’s Lindsey Johnson captured the goalkeeper victory alongside five saves to earn her first win of the season and improve to 1-1.
The Tigers remain on the road for their next four contests. Next up is a visit to St. Charles to take on Lindenwood on Sunday (Oct. 14) set for an 11 a.m. kick off.