FHSU Athletics

The 23rd-ranked Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer team shutout South Dakota Mines in a 2-0 victory to close out the MIAA/GNAC Soccer Challenge in Rapid City, S.D., on Sunday (Sept. 14).

Austin Clifton led the way on offense, scoring two goals on four shots in just 54 minutes of action. Michael Cole added to his points total for the season with an assist on Clifton’s first goal.
 
The Tigers (2-1-1) tookr the lead less than 10 minutes into the game, when Clifton broke into the scoring column at 6:19.  Cole hit a low cross to Clifton in the box, who scored on a one touch shot from five yards out.

Kent Freund posted his first shutout of the season between the pipes, picking up seven saves.  One of those saves, a penalty kick save in the 84th minute, kept the Hardrockers off the board and prevented a tie score late in the game
 
Clifton’s second goal of the day followed Freund’s penalty kick save, solidifying the Tigers victory.  At 86:46, Clifton broke away from the SD Mines defense, finding the lower left corner of the net from 18 yards out.
 
Defensively, Eric Hymer, Drew Wilson, Luan Silva and Carlos Linares played all 90 minutes in the backfield, limiting the Hardrockers to 13 shots (7 on goal). 
 
Fort Hays State opens MIAA play this Thursday (Sept. 18) on the road against No. 7 Northeastern State.  Game time is set for 7 p.m., in Tahlequah, Okla.