By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer team ended their first week of the season with a 3-2 loss against the UC-Colorado Springs Mountain Lions. The Tiger offense scored two goals, one by the freshman Collin Hershberger.
The Mountain Lions opened the scoring relatively quickly with an Alex Andersson solo goal at the 10 minute mark. Moments later, Andersson scored another, this time he was assisted by Marvin Putu. The Tiger stalemate did not last long as they were able to find a scoring opportunity in the 36th minute when Inigo Jimenez crossed it to Jose Avendano, who tapped the ball for Collin Hershberger to finish. This was his first collegiate goal, and the first goal for the Tigers this game.
At the end of the half, the Mountain Lions were in control with 10 total shots and an astonishing seven corners in the first half.
Out of the half, Alex Plimmer finds Blake Arndt across the pitch for a one-on-one opportunity, where Arndt is victorious, scoring his second goal of the year. After a long, aggressive thirty minutes, the Mountain Lions capitalize on an opportunity given to them by the Tiger defense. Alex Andersson scored his third goal of the match and took the lead 3-2 over the Tigers. The Tigers had some opportunities down the stretch, but could not convert. The game was fairly physical with four cards being drawn and 18 fouls throughout the match.
With the loss, the series between the Mountain Lions sits at 1-4, the last Tiger win coming in 2016 when they faced off in Hays.
This week, the Tigers are heading on the road for the first time this season to face Maryville and Rockhurst. Maryville will be played in Overland Park on Thursday, Sept. 7. We will then take on Rockhurst at their stadium.