Tomas Mares scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime that lifted the No. 15 Tigers to an exciting 3-2 win over No. 20 Northeastern State on Thursday night at the FHSU Soccer Stadium in Hays. Mares totaled two goals, his fifth and sixth of the season, in the match.

The win ups the Tigers record to 6-1 and 2-0 in the MIAA, while the Riverhawks drop to 4-2 and 1-1 in the MIAA.

Mares’ goal came right in front on a ball from Carlos Linares in the 102nd minute of the match. The golden goal gave the Tigers their first win over a top 25 program in their short two-year history.

Michael Cole scored the game tying goal in the 83rd minute, knocking in a cross from Tanner Brock.

After trailing 1-0, the Riverhawks scored two second half goals. Edgar Gonzaga kicked in a rebound in the 78th minute for a 2-1 NSU advantage.  Juan Gonzalez scored the first Riverhawk goal in the 56th minute, making a run and scoring from the left side of the box.

The Tigers tallied the only first half goal as Mares made a run on the right side of the pitch, and Brock found him with the pass and his first of two assists.

Goalkeeper Kent Freud earned the win for the Tigers, making eight saves and allowing two goals. His record is 2-0 this season.

After a close 9-6 Riverhawk shot advantage in the first half, NSU dominated the second half shots with 14 compared to three from the Tigers. In the first overtime, NSU held a 2-1 shot advantage, while the Tigers got the only shot in the second overtime, the game-winning goal

Fort Hays State is back at home Saturday against Harding University at 1 p.m.

– FHSU Sports Information –