By CAYDEN SANDERS
Tiger Media Network
File Photo
The Fort Hays State women’s soccer team welcomes two conference opponents to open up MIAA play this weekend. The Tigers (2-3) will take on Missouri Southern (2-3-1) today and Pittsburg State (5-1) on Sunday.
“No matter who you play, it’s always going to be tough. That’s the big thing about this conference: every school in this conference is going to have the resources to be competitive,” FHSU Head Coach Tyson John said. “So if they are having a down year, the following could be a good season.”
While MSSU might have struggled last year, John isn’t looking past the Lions in tonights MIAA opener.
“Last year, I think they finished with two, maybe three wins; they’ve already got two wins this year, one over Rockhurst, who beat us,” John said. “I don’t think that it was necessarily difficult because they play a very similar style. I think the most difficult part has been concentrating on us and making sure that we play our game, so for me, we are going to put our work in to get the victory.”
John feels there will be a challenge in the way the Tigers play against Missouri Southern due to international players on the Lions’ squad.
“They’ve got a Brazilian player, an Australian player, so they’ve got some internationals that kind of just give them a different look,” he said. “I think that they will have a little different play style than us that will create a unique challenge.”
On Sunday, the Tigers welcome Pitt State, who recently added women’s soccer as an official MIAA participant.
“I think Pitt is a little bit more athletic. They play an American style of soccer. So it’s going to be an interesting matchup,” John said.
In the non-conference, the Tigers suffered a loss to Northwestern Oklahoma State that they feel could have been their game to win. NWOSU is currently 6-0-1.
“It was a wake-up call. Northwestern Oklahoma St. is an opponent that we usually habitually get a result over. We did not this year, so kudos to them,” John said. “We absolutely dominated that game. We had 19 shots, 12 on target, to their five shots and two on target, and they ended up beating us 2-1 in the last eight minutes of the game. Looking at their schedule, they beat New Mexico Highlands 2-0, but when we played them (NMHU), we won 7-0.”
A big player for the Tigers early in the season has been senior forward Sydney Cotter. Through five games, Cotter has scored four of the Tigers’ 12 goals.
“She’s in her second year, last year she was brand new as a junior, and you can see that. In one year’s time, you can see the transformation in her game,” John said. “She’s come a long way and we’re really proud of how she’s played and she’s a force to be dealt with.”
John said Cotter has been the best player on the field in some of their matches.
“I think it’s good that we have as long as we can keep her healthy and motivated. We’re really excited to see what she’s going to do this season,” John said.
In the match against New Mexico Highlands, Cotter became the fourth Tiger to have a hat trick during a match. Cotter feels the performance was not just about her but the team.
“I rely on my teammates too. It’s not just me. It’s a team sport, and everyone plays a part in helping me be the best player I can be as well,” she said. “There’s motivation from everyone. It’s like all the little things, winning the ball and being the first person to win the ball in the air, winning our tackles, connecting our passes, taking everything we’ve learned from practice into the game.”
Cotter comes to FHSU from Chaffey College, a junior college in California. Cotter spoke about her transition from JUCO to the MIAA and this past off-season after being named an All-MIAA 2nd team forward.
“Coming from a JUCO, there is definitely a difference. The level of play is faster. Girls are stronger. I was lucky enough to come in the spring season to get a little bit of action before last year’s season,” Cotter said. “I’ve definitely learned a lot, and made sure to prepare myself over this summer as well, to come in stronger and just hopefully help lead the new girls, and having some of that experience and helping them learn the things I had to learn as well coming in.”
Fort Hays State will take on Missouri Southern at 7 p.m. tonight and Pitt State at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Both games will take place at FHSU Soccer Stadium.