Story by ELI BLANKINSHIP Photos by TANNER MAWHIRTER
Tiger Media Network
Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer returned to its home turf for the first time in two weeks to open conference play against rival Rogers State on Thursday. The Tigers defeated the Hillcats 2-0 behind two second-half goals from captain Juan Linares and Mathis Gaultier.
“I got a lot of respect for that head coach over there,” FHSU Head Coach Alex Nichols said. “They’ve got good players. It’s a very good head coach with a lot of good players over there, and our guys all [have] a lot of respect for Rogers State.”
Going into the locker room at halftime, both teams were deadlocked at 0-0. Just five minutes into the second half, Fort Hays State was awarded a free kick just outside of the box. Linares curled the ball around the wall of Hillcats and slotted the ball in the back post to put the Tigers up by one.
“I knew that the keeper was waiting [for] a shot to the other side, [so] I just put a ball there,” Linares said. “The feeling was unbelievable. You know, like when you score a goal in a massive game, that feeling is unbelievable.”
Both sides had many opportunities on goal, with Rogers State accruing 14 shots to the Tigers’ 13. The match was physical from start to finish, with 8 yellow cards issued.
“The first half, we gave up too many opportunities,” Nichols said. “Both teams could have scored; it was equal opportunities in the first half. Both teams [are] normally a little bit cleaner just from not giving up opportunities, and I think we gave away a little bit in the first half, but the second half we rebounded and played a lot better and turned it up, so that was good.”
Fort Hays State’s win over the Hillcats increases its streak against Rogers State to 5-straight wins dating back to last season. The 2-0 victory moved the Tigers to 3-1-2 on the year while Rogers State fell to 4-2-1.
“We have a lot of quality players that adapt real quick to this system,” Linares said. “In one month, we [have gone] from down to up, and the reason [for] that is everyone is working so hard”
FHSU plays Northeastern State at 1 p.m. today at FHSU Soccer Stadium.