After 110 minutes and 14 shootout rounds, the FHSU women’s soccer team downed the Missouri Southern Lions to advance to their second-consecutive MIAA semifinal using PKs. The Tigers claimed an 11-10 shootout score to move on in the conference tournament and earned a chance to play No. 1 and undefeated Central Missouri on Friday in the conference semifinals. With the 0-0 tie, the Tigers now move to 10-5-4 overall, while the Lions end their season at 5-9-4.
The first half saw neither team gain an advantage as the Tigers and Lions held each other scoreless. The Tigers had the slight upper-hand in shots in the first 45 minutes as they outshot the Lions 5-4. The second half was much the same as regulation ended with the Tigers holding Missouri Southern to just three shots compared to their eight.
Throughout the two overtime periods, only four shots were taken, all from the feet of FHSU members. In total, the Tigers outshot the Lions 19-8 throughout the entirety of the match. The shot advantage would not be enough for a win as the match moved to PKs as a winner needed to be decided to advance in the MIAA tournament.
After 14 shootout rounds, giving both programs chances to out-shoot the other, the Tigers clawed their way to an 11-10 PK victory alongside their 0-0 tie. Missouri Southern seemed to have the momentum as they started out the PK sessions 2-1 over the Tigers. However, two-consecutive misses for the Lions allowed the Tigers to get on top 3-2. After both teams broke the 4-5 tie, they stayed even with each other matching made attempts. Kylie Thomas went to the line for the Tigers with the points tied at 10 a piece in the 14th attempt. Thomas soared the ball left of Galindo to conclude the shootout and punch the Tigers’ ticket to the conference semifinals.
Jasmine Beaulieu led all players with a game-high six shots, followed by Darby Hirsch and Eden Stoddard with four attempts each. Glory Amalaha led the Lions with a team-high three shot attempts in the match. Luz Galindo for Missouri Southern and Kristen Thompson for Fort Hays State both took added a tie in their goalkeeping records for the season. Galindo added six saves to her name while ending her season with a 4-3-2 record and 55 saves. Thompson collected three saves and now owns a 6-3-2 record during her senior campaign along with 46 saves on the year.
Up next, the Tigers travel to Warrensburg, Mo., for a meeting with the No. 1 team in the land; Central Missouri. The Jennies have out-scored their opponents 69-2 on the year and boast a perfect 19-0 record. Previously this season, Fort Hays State fell to Central Missouri 2-0 in Hays. That matchup’s time has yet to be announced by the MIAA, but check back on FHSUAthletics.com for details of the match.