By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
CLAREMORE, Okla. – A late Fort Hays State comeback effort came up short on Sunday (Nov. 3). The Tigers fell 2-1 to Rogers State and moved to 7-6-4 overall and 4-5-2 in MIAA play. The Hillcats improved to 3-11-3 and 2-6-3 in the conference.
Rogers State scored both of its goals a minute apart in the first half. In the 24th minute, Sophia Wickenden found the back of the net on a header in the box off a corner kick from Alix Tirado-Negrete. A minute later, Tirado-Negrete doubled the lead with a shot in close off a crossing pass from Amaris Jasso.
Fort Hays State’s defense held firm through the remainder of the match, with goalkeeper Mackenzie Caldwell making four saves to keep the Tigers within striking distance. On the other end, the Tigers’ offense ramped up pressure in the second half, outshooting the Hillcats 10-2. They put eight of their total 14 total shots in the match on goal.
In the 87th minute, a handball in the box gave FHSU a penalty kick opportunity. Sydney Cotter stepped up and confidently converted her fourth goal of the season to bring Fort Hays State within one. But it was too little, too late as the Tigers could not find an equalizer in the final three minutes.
Cotter led the Fort Hays State attack with four shots on goal, while Allison Worley also contributed four shots with two on target. Rogers State goalkeeper Tiffany Brittan recorded eight saves, playing a huge role in the win for the Hillcats.
The Tigers wrap up their regular season next week at Nebraska-Kearney on Wednesday (Nov. 6). The Tigers currently sit in seventh place in the MIAA standings, still looking to secure a spot in the MIAA Tournament which begins on Sunday (Nov. 10).
Friday
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Fort Hays State women’s soccer team battled but fell 1-0 to Northeastern State on Friday evening (Nov. 1). With the loss, the Tigers moved to 7-5-4 overall and 4-4-2 in MIAA play, while the RiverHawks improved to 11-5 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
Northeastern State applied pressure early, tallying seven shots in the first half, with four on target. Fort Hays State’s defense held firm, anchored by goalkeeper Mackenzie Caldwell with four crucial saves to keep the match scoreless by halftime. FHSU had just one shot in the opening half.
The second half saw the RiverHawks break through right after halftime when Josie Jarvis found the net on a strike inside the box in the 46th minute, benefitting from a pass by Whitney Gentry. Despite the setback, Fort Hays State ramped up their offense in response, registering six shots in the second half, including a three-minute flurry where they managed four attempts and one on goal. However, they could never find the equalizer.
The Tigers were outshot 13-7, with Caldwell making six saves to keep Fort Hays State within reach. Shot leaders for the Tigers included Kenzee Godwin and Sydney Cotter, both with two.