By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The No. 11 ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team prevailed in the blistery conditions inside FHSU Soccer Stadium, knocking off Ohio Valley University in the NCAA Division II National Quarterfinal match on Saturday, 2-0, to advance to their first National Semifinal match in program-history. The Tigers improved to 17-2-1 on the season, while the Fighting Scots completed their 2018 campaign with an 18-6-1 record. Head Coach Brett Parker and the Tigers earned their 100th victory in program history with the win.
A defensive battle from the start, the Tigers and Fighting Scots amounted only seven shots total in the first 45 minutes of play. FHSU and OVU ended the first period scoreless.
Out of the break, the atmosphere was bitter from the cold weather, inducing the competitive nature from both sides. After possessions were cut short due to fouls and offside calls, Rogelio Lopez found an opening in the Fighting Scots’ defense and flipped the ball ahead to Tobias Patino. Patino then fed the thru ball to Moises Peralta, who took a shot around the diving OVU keeper and connected on his first score of the season in the 66th minute of the contest.
After a string of five aggressive attempts at trying to find an insurance goal, Mauricio Etcheverry picked up the pace and faced a one-on-one opportunity against the Fighting Scots’ keeper. Etcheverry triumphed and scored his first goal of the season in the 89th minute, giving the Tiger faithful a reason to celebrate. The score stood when the buzzer sounded and the Tigers qualified for their first National Semifinal match in program history.
Etcheverry led the Tiger offensive attack with five shots in the match, two of which were on frame. Peralta led the Tigers with three shots on goals, while Fernando Pina earned the victory in goal and improved his overall record to 12-0-1 on the season.
The Tigers have now won 14 consecutive matches and are on a 15-match unbeaten streak.
The National Semifinals is set for November 29th. Stay tuned to fhsuathletics.com for more updates