LEBANON, Ill. – The 11th-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team took a lead into halftime against McKendree University, but the Bearcats tallied two goals within a minute late in regulation to come back and defeat the Tigers 3-1 Saturday evening (Sept. 2). The Tigers fall to 0-1-1 on the season with the loss, while it was the season opener for the Bearcats.

Mauricio Etcheverry scored the first goal of the season for the Tigers in the opening minutes of the match. Tobias Patino provided the assist as he set up Etcheverry just two minutes into the match. Fort Hays State held on to the one-goal lead for the remainder of the first half, thanks in part to its defense limiting McKendree to just two shots in the period. The Tigers attempted five shots (two on goal) in the opening half.

The Tigers surrendered the equalizer in the 48th minute as Gonzalo Correa scored for the Bearcats on a pass from Alec Waller. The Tigers were aggressive the rest of the match, attempting eight shots in the second half (two on goal). However, none of the shots would find the back of the net.

The Bearcats pulled ahead in the waning minutes when Correa netted the game-winning goal in the 86th minute, his second goal of the match. McKendree doubled its lead just 59 seconds later when Blake Johnson scored the third and final goal to seal the victory for the Bearcats.

Michael Yantz was charged the loss in goal after saving two of the five shots on goal he faced. His record dips to 0-1-1 on the season. Patino led Fort Hays State with four shots in the contest, while Derick Gonzalez attempted three shots on the night.

The Tigers will be in action again next week with a pair of matches in Oklahoma starting on Thursday (Sept. 7) when they look to right the ship against Rogers State and No. 6 Midwestern State.