Story by MAYAN PAZ Photos by BRYNN RAY and ELLIE HEDMAN
Tiger Media Network
The 2025 season started slowly for FHSU women’s soccer. The Tigers went 0-2 last weekend to start the season, losing at Rockhurst and dropping a home contest against Northwestern Oklahoma State. FHSU was home for another pair of games this weekend and the Tigers split – losing 1-0 to Augustana on Friday before shutting out Southwest Minnesota State 3-0 on Sunday.
In Friday’s game, FHSU (1-3-0) squared up against Augustana (2-0-1). After a scoreless first half, the Vikings scored on a counterattack 18 minutes into the second half, and after holding off a late charge by the Tigers in the final minutes of the game, defeated FHSU 1-0.
FHSU Tigers’ starters lined up, getting announced. 
Kennedy Hartzell getting ready to kick the ball. 
Payton Porter defending the ball. 
Taylor Hill kicks the ball to her other teammates. 
Payton Porter keeping the ball close to her. 
Saylor Richard kicks the ball out to the other players. 
Makenzie Hood throws the ball in after being kicked out of bounds. 
Anjaleena Gomez goes in for a kick. 
Saylor Richard delivers the kick to the other players. 
Taylor Hill fights to keep the ball. 
Anjaleena Gomez controls the ball to kick it. 
Saylor Richard kicks the ball from the middle of the field.
Entering Sunday without a win, FHSU showed up against Southwest Minnesota State (1-2-0) feeling like this was a do-or-die game. FHSU Head Coach Tyson John spoke about the team’s mentality going into the game.
“We knew we needed to be motivated. Because just going three and zero and not playing like a three-zero team is really, really tough,” he said. “And so basically, it’s now or never. You know, we’ve got to get our season started. And so it starts today.”
It did start quickly, as after only three and a half minutes, Sydney Cotter drew a foul inside the box and successfully converted the penalty kick to give FHSU a 1-0 lead. The Tigers stayed dominant throughout the first half, but were unable to score any more goals.
Mackenzie Hood taking a throw in 
Megan Wiman getting ready to take a free kick 
Saylor Richard celebrating with her teammates after scoring off a free kick 
Taylor Hill going to goal taking on defenders 
Ava Wariner going for a 50/50 ball 
FHSU starters lined up and ready for the game 
Payton Porter passing the ball to her teammates 
Taylor Hill going up against a defender 
FHSU celebrating a goal 
Makenzie Hood dribbling the ball down the field 
Megan Wiman taking a throw in
This situation reminded John of one of their earlier games this season, against Northwestern Oklahoma State, where the Tigers had a 1-0 lead after the first half before conceding two late goals.
“I even told them at halftime. I said, ‘you know, one’s not enough, that’s where we were in that same situation with northwest Oklahoma, and look where that ended up,’” he said. “So for us, it was like, Hey, move on. We’re not going to make the same mistake. We will finish this thing all the way through.”
The Tigers kept pressuring the Mustangs, and in the 59th minute, Saylor Richard scored off a free-kick from 45 yards out, bouncing the ball across the box and over the defenders, the FHSU attackers, and the Mustangs’ goalkeeper, as the ball finally settled in the right corner of the net.
Five minutes later, the Tigers found the goal again, as Chaley French finished a play with a nice touch and set the final score of the game at 3-0 for the Tigers, securing their first win of the season.
Cotter said the team was not going to let another game slip from their fingers.
“I think we just all came in the mindset that we’re done losing, and we don’t care what our record says. We’re going to come out and fight for every single game,” she said. “We’re a young team, and we’re progressing every single day, and it’s definitely noticeable. And I think we’re just trusting each other, and we’re trusting the process moving forward.”
FHSU plays one more non-conference game before moving on to MIAA play, as New Mexico Highlands will make the trip to Hays this week. The Tigers and Cowgirls will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday at FHSU Soccer Stadium.