By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
BOLIVAR, Mo. – For the first time in ten games, the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team needed overtime to decide a winner as Southwest Baptist took the Tigers to extra time in Bolivar. With the match tied at 1-1, Vianei Sanchez connected on a pass from Nikita Woods in the fourth minute of overtime to help the Tigers earn the 2-1 win and avoid a shocking road loss. With the win, FHSU improves to 8-6-2 overall and 6-3 in MIAA play. Southwest Baptist drops to 1-13-2 while dipping to 1-7-1 in conference.
The Tigers got on the board first to net the only goal of the first half as Cailey Perkins captured her sixth goal of the season in the 24th minute. This would put Fort Hays State up 1-0, the score that would remain through halftime. The tying goal by Southwest Baptist came in the 48th minute as Raegan Edwards scored following a corner kick on a pass from Raquel Rodriguez. The 1-1 score would hold steady throughout the remainder of the second half, sending the Tigers and Bearcats to extra time.
Fort Hays State didn’t waste any time as Sanchez scored off an assist by Nikita Woods less than four minutes into the overtime period. The goal would be recorded as Sanchez’s fourth of the season, and helped the Tigers extend their win-streak to three matches.
Southwest Baptist had their fair share of attempts, as they outshot the Tigers at 19-17 in the contest. Edwards led all players on the day with nine shots, including two on target. Perkins was next in attempts with five shots and two on target as well.
Megan Kneefel added another win to her keeper record for the season alongside five saves. Kneefel raises her record for her junior campaign to 6-5-2 and now owns 64 saves. Ashlyn Gibbs suffers the loss in net for the Bearcats as she collected three saves.
Fort Hays State currently sits in a three-way tie for second place in the MIAA. Both Emporia State and Missouri Western have 6-3 records in conference as well.
The Tigers prepare for their final two regular season matches this coming weekend, as they travel to Nebraska-Kearney on Friday (Oct. 26) for a 6 p.m. kickoff. Fort Hays State will end the regular season at home on Sunday (Oct. 28) for senior day as they host Washburn at 1 p.m.