HAYS, Kan.- Led by two second-half goals, the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team captured a 2-0 win over Emporia State to open MIAA regular season play with a win. With the victory, the Tigers advance their overall record to 4-2-2 and 1-0 in conference. This was the second meeting between the Tigers and Hornets in the past week, with the Tigers also winning the first in a 3-2 offensive-focused match.

After a scoreless first half for both teams, the Tigers found the back of the net at the 72:28 mark in the match after a header goal from Kylie Thomas off the feet of Darby Hirsch. Fourteen minutes later, Eden Stoddard netted her sixth goal of the season just in front of the box. Stoddard is now ranked No. 6 in the MIAA in goals.

Fort Hays State had multiple opportunities to connect as they outshot the Hornets 18-7 in the match with five hitting near target for both squads. Hirsch and Stoddard led the offensive charge for the Tigers as they each earned four shot attempts. For Emporia State, Maria Walden accounted for a team-high four shots.

Kristen Thompson increased her individual record behind the net for the Tigers to 4-1-0 after her five saves in the contest. On the year, Thompson now has 25 saves to her name to rank third in the MIAA in the category. Bethany Reeves for the Hornets suffers her second loss of the year as she finished with three saves for Emporia State.

With the MIAA season upon us, the Tigers will have two-consecutive home matches before going back on the road. On Friday (Sept. 29), Fort Hays State will play host to Lindenwood for a 7 p.m. match, followed by a 1 p.m. contest against Central Missouri on Sunday (Oct. 1). Both matches will kick off at the FHSU Soccer Stadium.