By CAYDEN SANDERS
Tiger Media Network
The Fort Hays State University men’s soccer team competed against one of the nation’s best Wednesday when Midwestern State came to town. The Tigers and Mustangs came into the game on different streaks, with the Tigers having lost three straight and the Mustangs coming off two straight wins.
But after 90 minutes, Fort Hays was no match for the Mustangs, falling 2-0.
“I thought we gave them two goals tonight. I thought we could of snuck one from them but instead we came out with a loss,” head coach Gerry Cleary said. “We had some great moments throughout the game, but there were a few things that we will need to work on going into our next game.”
Midwestern State and Fort Hays started the match going back and forth trying to put up good possessions. Each had some success in set pieces into the 30th minute. Midwestern State capitalized on a Tiger turnover as Anthony Perea found the Mustangs’ leading scorer Mere Escobar to beat FHSU keeper Ben Dixon.
Going into halftime, the Mustangs had a 1-0 advantage but also led in shots and corner kicks, 6-1.
After halftime, the Mustangs waited patiently for another goal from Escobar – it eventually coming in the 63rd minute to make it 2-0.
FHSU struggled to get anything positive started on its attacking half after Midwestern State doubled the margin.
Dixon said the slate of solid non-conference opponents to start the season should prepare the Tigers for the conference schedule.
“We play a tough non-conference schedule to help prepare us for the regular season and into the postseason – knock on wood,” he said. “We have a lot of new players this season with some of us being upperclassman, but the freshman have really stepped up and are giving us some minutes so far.”
Fort Hays (1-4) begins GAC/MIAA conference play Sept. 21 against Newman at home.