Fort Hays State Women’s Soccer is in the mix for a return trip to the NCAA Tournament this year, tabbed No. 8 in the first set of NCAA Region Rankings released on Wednesday (Oct. 18). The Tigers are 8-3-3 overall so far in their first season under head coach Blake Reynolds.

Fort Hays State is one of four schools from the MIAA in the top eight of the Central Region rankings. Central Missouri has a stronghold on the No. 1 slot at 14-0 overall. Missouri Western, is No. 6 at 12-2 overall, while Northeastern State is No. 7 at 11-2. FHSU defeated Missouri Western earlier this season and meets Northeastern State this week. The Tigers also tied the No. 4 team in the region, Augustana (S.D.) in a neutral site match earlier this year. Eight teams are selected to compete in the Central Regional of the NCAA Tournament.

Fort Hays State advanced to the Central Regional Final of the NCAA Tournament last year, where it faced Central Missouri. The Tigers and Jennies were co-champs of the MIAA last year in the regular season.

Below are the NCAA Central Region Rankings for October 18, 2017.

Rank Team Division II Record In-Region Record
1 Central Missouri 14-0-0 14-0-0
2 Bemidji State 11-0-2 11-0-2
3 Minnesota State 12-1-1 12-1-1
4 Augustana (SD) 9-2-3 9-2-3
5 Oklahoma Baptist 10-1-1 10-1-1
6 Missouri Western 12-2-0 12-2-0
7 Northeastern State 11-2-0 11-2-0
8 Fort Hays State 8-3-3 8-3-3