Story by ELI BLANKINSHIP Photos by RORY MOORE
Tiger Media Network
After losing to Northwest Missouri State 2-1 and tying 0-0 with No. 20 Missouri Western at home, the Fort Hays State Women’s Soccer team hosted the 2023 NCAA Division II Runner-ups: No. 15 Washburn University.
Coming into this matchup, the Washburn Ichabods stood atop of the MIAA with a conference record of 7-0-1. Playing through a number of injuries, the Tigers snapped the Ichabods’ 12-game shutout streak by two goals in the back of the net. The Tigers (7-4-4, 4-3-2) defeated the Ichabods (10-3-2, 7-1-1) in their last home game of the regular season by a score of 2-1.
“We knew from the beginning that we were just going to be patient and we weren’t going to rush,” said FHSU Head Coach Tyson John. “When [Washburn} plays, they like the game to open up. We worked really hard on the time management too, we didn’t want to force stuff to happen, we were going to let the opportunities come to us and make sure that we do something with them when we have them.”
The Fort Hays State University Tigers Women’s soccer team welcomes Washburn to FHSU Soccer Stadium. 
Forward Kenzee Godwin trips after colliding with Washburn offense. 
Forward Taylor Hill attempt to steal a Washburn ball. 
Megan Wiman dives toward a Washburn ball with assistance from Hill. 
Forward Sydney Cotter clashes with Presslee Amick for possession. 
Cotter steals the ball from Amick. 
Midfielder Brittney Arneson leaps in front of opposing Washburn defense to head a pass midair. 
Claire Gaeth gets caught between two Washburn defenders. 
Gracen Chaney throws a pass. 
The Tigers celebrate Allison Worley’s goal at the 77:50 marker. 
The Tigers celebrate Allison Worley’s goal at the 77:50 marker.
With many of their regular starters out with injuries—most notably senior captain Emily Hutchings—the Tigers knew this was just the beginning of a difficult final stretch of matches.
“I hate that we’re injury-ridden,” John said. “But I’m really proud of these girls. They’ve had to show a lot of heart and grit to get through this.”
Leading the charge for the Tigers has been freshman Taylor Hill. With five goals and one assist on the season, Hill is the Tigers’ leading goal scorer in her first collegiate season. Against the Ichabods, Hill opened the scoring for FHSU in the 19th minute on a breakaway 1v1 with the goalkeeper, where she ripped the ball into the top left corner.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Hill. “My upperclassmen teammates have been helping me a lot. I just try to take it one game at a time to stay composed. I take a deep breath and then I’m ready.”
The Tigers will wrap up the regular season with three road games. FHSU plays Northeastern State at 7 p.m. on Friday and Rogers State at 1 p.m. on Sunday. FHSU’s final road game will be next Wednesday at UNK.