Story by MAYAN PAZ Photos by PHILIPP NGUYEN Video by BRYNN RAY
Tiger Media Network
Fort Hays State University women’s soccer played its first home game for the season on Sunday, hosting the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers. After losing 3-1 in their season opener against Rockhurst, the Tigers hoped to utilize the home-field advantage and get a first win for the season. However, two late goals by the Rangers proved costly as FHSU dropped the contest 2-1.
The squad lined up and ready to defend home turf 
Taylor Hill greeting the fans 
Anjaleena Gomez controlling the back line 
Megan Wiman sending it forward from the back 
Tigers battling in the box on the corner kick 
Chaley French celebrates the opening goal with the team 
Sydney Cotter fighting for the ball in midfield 
Olivia Mouw delivers the corner kick 
NWOSU scores the 2–1 goal late in the match 
Ryan McCabe stepping in with a tackle
The Tigers took control of the game early on and had 11 shots on target in the first 45 minutes and four corner kicks. FHSU utilized this offensive blitz to score a goal 17 minutes into the contest after a set drill in which the Tigers loaded the goal line with no less than seven players, creating confusion amongst the Rangers’ defenders. This allowed Chaley French to score from close range. Sydney Cotter assisted French on the goal.
This drill was attempted throughout the game, and FHSU Assistant Coach Livia Silva said this was something the team has worked on.
“That’s a new drill. Coach Tyson (John) brought it in. He’d done that in the past, and it’s been good for us so far,” Silva said. “We scored every game out of that corner, so we know it’s working.”
Despite the 11 shots in the first half, including eight on goal, the Tiegrs were unable to find the net again and took a narrow 1-0 lead into halftime.
In the 83rd minute, a fast break by the Rangers led to a header goal by Jazelle Alvarado to tie the game. Three minutes later, FHSU conceded a second goal from another Ranger fast break, this time finished by Christi-Anne Mills. After some late attempts by the Tigers, the Rangers closed out the game, 2-1.
Silva said that despite the final score, the team had some positives in their game.
“I don’t think we played badly. I think we were defending very well. It was just two counterattacks that they had, with a good finish from them,” she said. “We had some good chances. We had to finish. We’ve got to be able to finish on those. So first half, we had more chances. So we got to be able to finish on those more than anything else.”
FHSU outshot the Rangers 19-6 and only allowed three Ranger shots on goal, with two resulting in scores. NWOSU goalkeeper Taylor Annen recorded 11 saves in the contest.
The Tigers stay at home this week, hosting Augustana on Friday and Southwest Minnesota State on Sunday. First kick on Friday is scheduled for 7 p.m. at FHSU Soccer Stadium.