By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
St. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Fort Hays State women’s soccer team controlled the whole 90 minutes of play Friday evening (Oct. 11), improving its record to 7-3 (3-1 MIAA) after a 3-0 shutout of Missouri Western. The Tigers have won three straight conference games, all on the road, after dropping their league opener last month. Missouri Western falls to 4-6-1 and 1-3 in conference play.
The Tigers got on the board early and never let up, taking a two-goal lead in the first half. In the 15th minute, Jenna Prince intercepted a pass at the top of the penalty box and lofted a shot over the head of the keeper and into the net for her second goal of the year. Darby Hirsch followed Prince just three minutes later with her fourth of the 2019 season. Chloe Montano ripped a free kick from midfield that fell perfectly into Hirsch’s lap inside the 18-yard box. Hirsch cashed in on the chance, firing a shot into the upper left corner to hand FHSU held a 2-0 lead before halftime.
Fort Hays State struck again nine minutes into the second half when Zariah Smith picked up her first goal of the year. The junior took in a pass and made one move past a defender before sending a bullet screaming just inside the far post from 20 yards out. The defense and Megan Kneefel tightened up down the stretch, holding MWSU to just three second-half shots to give the Tigers their seventh victory of the year. Of those seven victories, the Tigers have only allowed one goal, tallying six clean sheets on the year.
FHSU fired off 13 shots, with seven of those on target. Cailey Perkins led the team with four shots and two shots on goal. Megan Kneefel (6-2) stopped all four of Missouri Western’s shots on goal for her 14th career shutout, just one shy of second place all-time.
The Tigers remain in second place in the MIAA standings with the win, moving within one point of the top spot.
The Tigers look to continue their hot streak on Sunday (Oct. 13) in Maryville, Mo. Fort Hays State and Northwest Missouri State are set to kick off at 1 p.m