FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Women’s Soccer pushed its shutout streak to four matches with a 1-0 victory against Missouri Western on Sunday(Oct. 19) afternoon.

The win was an important for the Tigers (8-4-2, 6-2-2 MIAA) in the MIAA standings, as FHSU entered the game tied for third in the conference standings with Central Oklahoma, while Missouri Western sits fifth in the MIAA.

A defensive battle with neither team hitting double-digits in shots, the wind played a factor in possession throughout the day at FHSU Soccer Stadium. FHSU fired eight shots on the afternoon, putting two on goal, while Missouri Western had five shots (three on goal).

After a scoreless opening half, FHSU grabbed a 1-0 lead early in the second period on Kelsey Steffens’ fifth goal of the season. Hailey Davey. who assisted on the play, dribbled deep in the field on the right side of the box before dishing a late, low cross towards the far post.

The pass slipped through two Griffon defenders into Steffens’ control, who finished past the keeper from five yards out at 49:18.

Davey picked up her fourth assist of the weekend (and ninth assist on the year) after tying her own school record with three in Friday’scontest. Steffens’ score regained her possession of the team-lead in goals.

Hannah Smith led the team in shots, fired three over 81 minutes of play. Steffens, Bailey Schmitz, Kylee Loneker and Vianei Sanchez had the Tigers’ other shots on the afternoon.

Kristen Thompson once again followed script in goal, saving three shots in a complete game performance. The shutout was Thompson’s (and the team’s) ninth of the year, setting a school record for team shutouts in a single-season. Thompson broke the season’s individual shutout mark last week.

FHSU begins a three-game road stretch next weekend, traveling to Topeka, Kan., on Friday (Oct. 24) against Washburn. The Tigers will square off with Emporia State and Nebraska-Kearney before returning to FHSU Soccer Stadium on Nov. 2, for Senior Day against WU.