By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Fort Hays State played to a 2-2 draw with Emporia State on Sunday (Sep. 18) at FHSU Soccer Stadium in the MIAA opener. All four goals were scored in the first half. The Hornets now account for two of the Tigers’ three ties this season. FHSU moved to 5-0-3 on the year and ESU to 2-4-2, while both moved to 0-0-1 in the conference.
The Hornets took the lead early as a corner kick from Joanie Westcoat connected with the head of Hannah Woolery in the ninth minute. FHSU knotted things up in the 14th minute, also scoring a goal on a header off a corner kick. Sullivan Kelly delivered a well placed ball to the back post that bounced off the head of Hannah Mares in the upper corner of the net for her third goal of the season. The Tigers kept it rolling later in the period when a shot from Emily Hutchings was saved and landed in front of Montserrat Diaz who punched it through in the 23rd minute to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. The equalizer for the Hornets came as Asta Kristindottir threw the ball in to Rhea Bailey who set up Woolery for her second goal of the day. At halftime, the Tigers led the shot battle 7-6.
The match switched gears in the second half as both defenses locked down. The Hornets managed eight shots and the Tigers took two in the second half. ESU held the final shot advantage 14-9. Isabel Robben posted a career-high eight saves between the posts for the Tigers, while Mackenzi Goen saved three shots for the Hornets.
The Tigers will be on the road next week when they travel to Northwest Missouri State on Friday (Sep. 23) and Missouri Western on Sunday (Sep. 25).
Friday
Fort Hays State Women’s Soccer team remained unbeaten as they handed Washburn its first loss of the season, 1-0 on Friday (Sep. 16) at FHSU Soccer Stadium. A first half goal from Montserrat Diaz gave the Tigers the lead in the first half and the Tiger defense kept the Ichabods at arm’s length to secure their fifth shutout of the season. FHSU improved to 5-0-2 on the year while WU moved to 5-1-1 overall. Washburn started strong on offense by putting six shots on target in the first half, but Isabel Robben fought off all attempts. The Tigers netted their lone goal in the 22nd minute as a long shot from Emily Hutchings was deflected by the head of a defending Ichabod before bouncing off the cross bar and falling at the feet of Diaz right in front of the goal line. Washburn keeper Raegan Wells had no time to react as Diaz flicked the ball in with her foot to give the Tigers the lead. The FHSU defense did not allow another shot to be placed on goal the remainder of the match to secure the shutout.
The Ichabods outshot the Tigers 8-7 in the match. Robben had six saves and Wells picked up one in goal for Washburn.