FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State scored late for force overtime at No. 13 Central Missouri, but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 2-1 loss in Warrensburg, Mo., on Sunday (Oct. 5).
 
FHSU (5-4-1, 3-2-1 MIAA) had just three shots on the afternoon, but made the most of their opportunities as all three were on goal.  Defensively, FHSU hung tough with the MIAA’s leading offense, limiting the Jennies to nine shots (three on goal).
 
UCM scored early on, taking a 1-0 lead at 9:53 after a scramble in front of the net.  Hannah Pyle gained control of a loose ball inside the box and cleaned up for an unassisted score.
 
The Tigers buckled down defensively after the goal, allowing just eight shots over the final 80-plus minutes of regulation.
 
Taking advantage of the strong defensive play to stay within striking distance, Fort Hays State broke through the Jennies’ defense near the end of regulation in the 81st minute. 

On a free kick situation, Jamie Babyak served it to Jordan Hester, who found the net from eight yards outside the box for the equalizer. Hester’s goal was her fourth of the season (a team-high), while Babyak tallied her first assist of the year.
 
With the comeback halfway completed, FHSU looked to seal a victory in a golden goal situation, but in the 96th minute of overtime, it was Central Missouri that clinched the win on a shot from outside the box. 
 
Near the midway point of the first overtime period, UCM’s Taylor Thompson took aim from 30 yards out and hit a shot that just cleared FHSU’s Kristen Thompson’s grasp for the game winner at 95:11.
 
Babyak, Hester and Kelsey Steffens combined for the Tigers’ shots on the afternoon, with Babyak and Mallory Diedrich leading the defensive effort.  Thompson recorded one save on the afternoon.
 
Fort Hays State begins a four-game homestand next week with two games over the Homecoming weekend.  FHSU hosts Northeastern State on Friday (Oct. 10) at 7 p.m., before closing out the weekend with a Sunday (Oct. 12) matchup against Central Oklahoma, set for Noon.