Thompson sets season shutout mark in FHSU women’s soccer 0-0 draw against Central Oklahoma

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Women’s Soccer played to a 0-0 draw with Central Oklahoma in double overtime on Sunday (Oct. 12) afternoon at FHSU Soccer Stadium.

A physical battle where 38 total fouls were called, neither team could break through offensively, though the Tigers outshot the Bronchos, 19-13, putting nine on goal compared to UCO’s eight shots on goal.

Defenders Mallory Diederich (110 minutes) and Jamie Babyak (110 minutes) put together complete performances, and Baylie Schmidtz nearly matched that, recording 106 minutes.

FHSU goalkeeper Kristen Thompson posted her seventh shutout of the season in impressive fashion, saving eight shots on goal in 110 minutes of play. With the draw, Thompson broke the school’s individual record for shutouts in a season, passing the previous mark of six, set by Nicole Barbana in 2012.

Just into the 27th minute of the game, UCO’s Sarah Purcell broke away from the defense into a one-on-one situation with Thompson, who challenged her mid-box with a deflection on a diving save. After Purcell rebounded the ball, she fired a second shot in quick fashion, but Thompson got to her feet and flicked the ball out of bounds, keeping the Bronchos out of the net.

After over 92 minutes of scoreless play, FHSU nearly won the game on a golden goal in the first overtime, but a blocked shot and save from UCO’s Brandi Bartley forced a continuation of play. Gabrielle Makatura fired a shot in the middle of the box, and after gathering a deflection from a Broncho defender, took aim at the net just three seconds later, but Bartley spoiled the possible game-winner with a save.

Makatura led the offense with four shots, while Schmitz, Diederich, Kylee Loneker and Cenayda Guzman added two shots apiece.

FHSU (6-4-2, 4-2-2 MIAA) finished the homecoming weekend 1-0-1 after a win on Friday versus Northeastern State, and is fourth in the conference standings, one game behind the Bronchos.

The squad continues its home stand with two games next weekend, hosting Northwest Missouri State on Friday (Oct. 17) at 7 p.m., and Missouri Western in a Sunday (Oct. 19) contest at 2 p.m.