By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Fort Hays State picked up a big win on Senior Night at FHSU Soccer Stadium. The Tigers were able to convert a penalty kick with ten seconds remaining on the clock and improved their record to 9-4-2 (5-2-2 MIAA). Nebraska-Kearney fell to 2-8-7 (1-4-5 MIAA) on the season.
The Tigers continued to knock on the door offensively throughout the match. They tested goalkeeper Allie Prososki (2-6-6) 14 times. Prososki made eight saves on the night, with her team adding a save of their own. Fort Hays State had numerous offensive opportunities to put one on the board, but UNK’s Prososki was able to make some incredible saves. In the 67th minute, Cailey Perkins was fed a ball by Reilly Madden that managed to find its way through the entire midfield. Perkins rifled a shot on goal, but a diving Prososki made the save. Chloe Montano had a couple of back-to-back chances to put the Tigers on the board late in the match, but once again, Prososki was able to make two diving saves to keep the game scoreless.
The Tigers’ persistent efforts finally paid off with just ten seconds remaining in the match. Montano put good pace on a pass into the box that found the head of Cailey Perkins. The ball was heading into the net already past the keeper trying to make a play before Perkins could get to the ball, but Perkins was fouled from behind and instead the Tigers were awarded a penalty kick. Senior Darby Hirsch made good her team’s efforts in the waning seconds, stepping up to lift Tigers to victory with her fifth goal of 2019 on the penalty kick to give the Tigers a 1-0 victory.
Hirsch and Montano led the way for FHSU, each with four shots and three on goal. With the goal in the 90th minute, Darby Hirsch moved herself into second place all-time in career points with 44. Hirsch also now owns the all-time shots record, firing off 128 shots as a Tiger.
Senior goalkeeper Megan Kneefel (8-3-2) stopped all five of the Lopers’ shots on goal. She recorded her eighth shutout of the 2019 campaign, only five more saves and one more victory away from the all-time lead in each category.
The Tigers will hit the road on Sunday to Topeka, Kan., taking on the Washburn Ichabods. Fort Hays State defeated Washburn earlier in the season (Sept. 27) in non-conference action, 1-0. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.