Story by MAYAN PAZ Photos by LIZZY CISNEROS
Tiger Media Network
Kicking off a weekend of soccer in Hays, the FHSU men’s team got past the Harding Bisons with a comfortable 5-0 win on Thursday. The Tigers saw two goals from Oliver Wright and Elias Ovelar Semeniuk, respectively, and an additional score from Juan Linares.
Starting the game strong, the Tigers (8-0-2, 4-0) scored an early lead goal after just six minutes. Utilizing a throw-in situation from the right sideline, midfielder Joseph Street found Wright open in the box. Wright, with an accurate header to the top right corner of the goal, gave the Tigers the lead. Only 12 minutes later, the Tigers replayed the same play in an almost identical way to the first goal. Once again, a throw-in from the right sideline by Street found Wright for a second Tigers goal.
In the 31st minute, star striker Ovelar Semeniuk struck from the right edge of the box to set the final score of the first half at 3-0. The Tigers had 13 shots during the first half, limiting Harding (2-7-1, 0-4) to 0 shots, presenting a strong and resilient midfield and defensive line.
The Tigers opened the second half with more pressure on the Bisons, and after 10 minutes, Ovelar Semeniuk scored his second goal of the night, increasing the score to 4-0. In the 79th minute, Linares broke into the box and finalized the game score at 5-0.
The Tigers are now 4-0 in conference play and are still unbeaten this season. They stand alone at the top of the conference table with 12 of 12 possible points. Playing from the top position in the conference and preparing for their next game against another bottom-table opponent, Ouachita Baptist, FHSU Head Coach Alex Nichols spoke about how the players stay focused even when the team has a big lead or plays weaker opponents.
“The players are the ones who are going to have to be motivated, and if they get lazy, they’re going to be beaten. It’s as simple as that,” Nichols said. “But they’re motivated guys, and they’re not lazy. They’ve been playing the games their whole life. So they know if they’re lazy and don’t take an opponent with full respect, we’re going to lose. But these guys are humble, and they’re taking guys with respect, and so we’re having success, and I think they’ll continue to do that.”
Ovelar Semeniuk now has 10 goals this season, the most in the GAC. He said the teamwork from the entire squad helped his performance.
“I think what really helped us is that the team is working hard. We were doing our job. So when the team is having a good performance, it’s easier for some players to make a difference,” he said. “So I think it’s that, and also the desire to want it, to seek, and to work hard. So I think that’s the key to the good job that we are doing with the team.”
The surprising star of the game was Wright, stepping in for Mario Vales as a starting center back. He scored two headers and assisted the team in keeping a clean sheet. After the game, he talked about waiting for the right opportunity and being ready to capitalize on his chance to start for the Tigers.
“Everyone wants to play, that’s why we’re here. We want to play. But when you have a team as good as ours, and people are playing as good as we have been, you can’t really complain too much about not playing, because you know that they’re doing well, it’s not like it’s unfair and unjust, so you have to trust the decisions that the gaffer is making, and you just got to be ready,” Wright said. “So Mario got a little injury, and I was ready. And I did well using my chance. Now I’m here, and I’m trying to stay here. So it’s all about being ready, keeping a positive mindset, playing well in training, getting recognized, and just when you get a chance, you’ve got to take it.”
The Tigers host Ouachita Baptist at noon on Saturday at FHSU Soccer Stadium.