FHSU Athletics

HAYS, Kan. – The 25th-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team picked up a big win on Senior Day over Lindenwood Sunday. The Tigers were able to outlast the Lions in a 1-0 nail biter after drawing 0-0 with the Lions earlier in the season.

The first half was evenly matched despite the heavy south wind blowing against the Tigers. Both teams were able to get off five shots in the half and both seemed to have several other opportunities  before the half was over. The Tigers were able to make good on one of those opportunities, scoring the first and only goal of the game.

FHSU defender Killian Gorman launched a ball down the left side to find a streaking Brian Ness. Ness used his breakaway speed to pull away from the Lion defender to create a one-on-one with the goalkeeper who came charging out of his net. With the keeper approaching quickly, Ness slipped the ball past the diving keeper in the bottom right corner and across the goal line for his first goal of the season.

At halftime Fort Hays State thanked the senior members of the team with a nice ceremony involving their family members. Seniors Daniel Molina, Joe Albright, Kyle Markovits, David Lucio, Austin Clifton and Addision Pauler were all honored during this ceremony.

The second half produced a lot of action and tempers flared a bit as time was winding down. The Tigers were able to get off eight shots, and the Lions were able to produce five but neither team was able to find a way to get the ball in the goal thanks to some stout defense on both ends. Hard physical play throughout the entire match produced a yellow card for both teams and an ejection for Lindenwood, which required them to play the last 4:15 a man down.

Fort Hays State goalkeeper Michael Yantz was impressive in net all game stopping two shots he faced from the Lions and picked up his fifth shutout of the season. Andrew Hamerlinck took the tough luck loss for Lindenwood with three saves.

Fort Hays State will find out its NCAA Tournament fate on Monday evening (Nov. 9) at 5 pm Central Time during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on NCAA.com. The Tigers were No. 1 in the region rankings entering the final week of play and they finished with a record of 12-5-1. Upper Iowa finished at 13-3-1 and Northeastern State was 12-6. Several formulas go into the selection, so with the closeness of the records, it’s hard to tell if any team is a lock for the two spots up for grabs in the tournament. FHSU went 1-1 in the final week with a loss to Upper Iowa and the win Sunday against Lindenwood.

FHSU Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The much anticipated matchup between Fort Hays State and Central Missouri next Saturday has been selected by the MIAA Television Network as the Game of the Week. Postseason opportunities will be on the line as the Tigers host the Mules Saturday at 2:30 pm.

The game was originally scheduled for 2 pm, but has moved to 2:30 now that it will be televised. The game can be viewed on Eagle Cable Channels 204 and 601.

Looking at the standings a few weeks back, the Tigers and Mules have been on a collision course for a huge battle in the final week that has postseason implications for both teams. Central Missouri is currently tied for second in the MIAA with Emporia State at 8-2, while the Tigers are a game back at 7-3.

Fort Hays State will be looking for its first eight-win season since 1995 on Saturday. A win could also vault the Tigers into their first postseason game since the same year.

The Tigers were not in the most recent edition of the Super Region 3 Rankings, but they have been on the outside looking in and the No. 9 team in the region rankings lost Saturday. Find out Monday if the Tigers have cracked the region rankings. Central Missouri was No. 8 in the most recent poll. The top seven teams are selected to the NCAA Playoffs.

Even if the Tigers come up short of a playoff selection, a win could possibly secure a Bowl Game bid. The highest finisher in the MIAA standings that does not make the playoffs gets an automatic selection to the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo. A win would at least tie the Tigers for third place in the standings, and possibly second pending on what happens with Emporia State on Saturday when it hosts Nebraska-Kearney.

Last year, Central Missouri was selected at-large for the Texarkana Bowl. The Tigers pulled even with the Mules for fourth in the MIAA standings last year by defeating UCM in the final week 45-17. Missouri Western also tied for fourth. The selection was not automatic like the Mineral Water Bowl. In fact, among the three teams to tie for fourth last year at 7-4, Central Missouri went 0-2. Missouri Western may have been the most deserving of the selection since it defeated FHSU and UCM, while the Tigers went 1-1 among the three-way tie. So, with that said, there is no guarantee of a bowl game outside of the team that gets the automatic selection to the Mineral Water Bowl.

A win Saturday should put the Tigers in great position for a postseason opportunity. A loss would most likely leave the Tigers with no guarantees.