HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team defeated the Lindenwood Lions 1-0 on Sunday. 29). The Tigers improved to 10-5-2 overall on the season and 7-1 in conference play. The Lions dipped to 8-7 on the year and 3-3 in the MIAA. FHSU clinched their first MIAA title in program history with the victory.

The first half consisted of a defensive battle from both teams as neither Fort Hays State nor Lindenwood could find the back of the net. The Tigers were able to get off three shots, as the Lions had five in the first period.

Out of the break, it was much of the same with a back-and-forth battle between the squads while no one was able to get the ball past either of the goalkeepers. The Tigers were able to get off seven shots as one of them scored through the net on a 30 yard strike from Luis Mendez in the 77th minute that was set up from Derick Gonzalez. Mendez notched his second goal of the season and Gonzalez extended his program record of consecutive matches with a point to 14 straight.

The Tigers were able to keep the 1-0 score until the end the match as they clinched at least a share of the MIAA title. The Tigers will share the title with Northeastern State if the RiverHawks win both their matches next weekend and will win the title outright if NSU loses or draws at least one contest.

The Tigers dominated possession in the second half as they outshot the Lions 10-7 in the match. Despite the Lions earning ten corner kicks, they were unable to capitalize on those scoring opportunities.

Michael Yantz was solid in goal today for the Tigers as he ended the match with four key saves against the aggressive Lion offense. Yantz earned the victory and improved to 8-4-2 on the season.

The Tigers will be back in action next weekend as they host the University of Mary on Saturday (Nov. 4) in their regular season finale. Kickoff for Senior Night is set for 6 p.m.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Jasmine Beaulieu netted her third goal of the season in double-overtime against Washburn as the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team captured the 1-0, golden goal victory over the Ichabods. With the win, the Tigers reach 10 wins on the season to improve their overall record to 10-5-3 along with a 7-3-1 mark in the MIAA. The Tigers, who earned the No. 4 seed in the MIAA tournament, will host a first-round match on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Missouri Southern.

After a scoreless first half for both teams, the Tigers and Ichabods headed into the locker room tied at 0-0. In the first 45 minutes, Washburn out-shot Fort Hays State 5-2. This was the fifth-consecutive match the Tigers were unable to score in the first period of play against their opponents.

As the second half came and went just like the first, the score remained at zero a piece. FHSU and Washburn headed into the first overtime period but again neither team was able to get on the board. The lone goal in the match came at the feet of Jasmine Beaulieu who has now earned a goal in two-straight matches. The point came with just under two minutes remaining in the match as she brought in the ball off an assist from fellow senior Eden Stoddard, her fifth of the season. The combo of Beaulieu and Stoddard has secured the wins in the last two matches. The goal concluded the match and gave the Tigers the 1-0 win over the Ichabods.

The Tigers held the Ichaods to a shot-less second half as they collected 13. Throughout the two overtimes, Fort Hays State had the advantage in shots as they attempted five compared to just two from Washburn.

Kaitlin Minnich in goal for the Ichabods was given the loss as she amassed for 10 saves. The goalie duties for the Tigers switch heading into the overtime periods as Megan Kneefel took over for Kristen Thompson who faced five shots and collected two saves in regulation. Kneefel earned the victory alongside two saves of her own. With the win, Kneefel now sits with a 4-2-2 record in net for the Tigers.

The Tigers are next on the pitch on Wednesday at 7 p.m. as they play host to Missouri Southern who captured the No. 5 seed in the MIAA tournament. The first-round matchup is set to be played at FHSU Soccer Stadium.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team dropped two matches Saturday afternoon inside Lee Arena on the campus of Washburn University. The Tigers were unable to stop the Ichabods in the opener, falling in three sets against Washburn before losing a four-set match against Oklahoma Baptist. The Tigers dip to 10-18 overall and 2-11 in conference play, while Washburn moves to 16-10 (7-7 MIAA) and the Bison are now 15-11.

Washburn 3, Fort Hays State 0 (19-25, 24-26, 17-25)
The Tigers had their chances in the opening match of the day, but a strong Washburn team rallied at opportune times to secure a sweep of FHSU. Fort Hays State managed a .145 attack percentage for the game, while Washburn countered with a .225 swing rate. Magan Alexander led the Tigers with 11 kills, with Kylie Rollman (10) also reaching double figures. Taylor White recorded 25 digs, a season-high for three set matches.

Fort Hays State kept things close in the opening set, rallying from as many as five down to tie things up at 16 thanks to a 6-1 run. The teams then traded points for the next few rallies until Washburn turned a 19-19 tie into a 25-19 win thanks to six consecutive points.

After recording a .125 hitting percentage in the opening set, the Tigers rallied back to post a .271 swing rate in the second frame. The Tigers traded the lead with the Ichabods for much of the second set, ultimately scoring three in a row on kills from Rollman, Logan Wallick and Callie Christensen to reach set point, 24-21. Washburn found a way to rally back, however, scoring the next five points to steal the set, 26-24.

The Tigers came out of the break on a mission, quickly jumping in front by five to open the third set, 14-9. The tides started to turn at that point, as the Ichabods went on a 16-3 run to close the set and seal the 3-0 victory.

Oklahoma Baptist 3, Fort Hays State 1 (13-25, 25-22, 19-25, 11-25)
Fort Hays State got off to a slow start in the second match of the day, but recovered to tie things up after the second set. Oklahoma Baptist regained momentum after the break, holding the FHSU offense at bay to win in four sets. The Bison posted a .259 hitting percentage while holding the Tigers to a .074 attack rate. Alexander again led the Tigers offensively, tallying seven kills. Christensen picked up six blocks in the match while adding five kills.

The Bison took control early in the first set, jumping out to an 8-2 lead. The Tigers were unable to bounce back, dropping the opening frame 25-13.

The second set was a different story, as the Tigers battled with OBU every step of the way. Neither team led by more than three for the entirety of the set, with the lead changing hands seven times. Oklahoma Baptist used a 3-1 run to jump back in front, 22-21, before three blocks from Christensen helped Fort Hays State rattled off four-straight points to secure the set, 25-22.

The teams went back-and-forth once again to open the third set, with Fort Hays State using a 4-1 run and a correct challenge from Brandi Fairbank to tie things up at 15. The Bison took control after that, going on a 10-4 run to close the third set before securing the match with a 25-11 victory in set four.

The Tigers will be back in action Sunday afternoon when they travel to Emporia, Kan. to face off with Emporia State. First serve is set for 4 p.m.

Fort Hays State, ranked No. 7 in the nation, looks to stay on top of the MIAA standings on Saturday when it hosts long-time rival Emporia State at Lewis Field Stadium in Hays. The 92nd installment of the series is set to begin at 2 pm. FHSU enters at 8-0, while ESU is 4-4.

The game can be heard on Tiger Radio Mix-103 beginning with the Auto World Pregame Show at 1 pm. Listen Live

The Tigers will be looking for a second straight win over the Hornets in Hays. The home team has won the last two games in the series. ESU took the meeting in Emporia last year 24-16, when the Hornets were No. 10 in the nation. Emporia State entered the season with strong hopes of MIAA contention as the preseason No. 4 ranked team in the nation, but has struggled to a 4-4 mark so far.

FHSU enters the week still tied for first place in the MIAA with two-time defending national champion Northwest Missouri State. The No. 1 ranked Bearcats are also 8-0. NWMSU plays at Pittsburg State this week. In the first edition of NCAA Super Region 3 Rankings, NWMSU is No. 1, FHSU is No. 3, and Central Missouri is No. 6. The top seven teams in the super region are selected to compete in the NCAA Division II Playoffs at the end of the regular season. FHSU is in position to make its first NCAA Playoff appearance since 1995.

The Tiger offense has produced over 200 rushing yards in each of the last three weeks. Leading the rushing attack is Kenneth Iheme, averaging 110.4 yards per game. He has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last four games and now leads the MIAA in rushing. Charles Tigner is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and adds an average of 69.3 yards per game.

Jacob Mezera is completing 67 percent of his passes this season for 1,944 yards and 16 touchdowns. Monterio Burchfield has been the top receiver for the Tigers with 783 yards on 36 catches. He is averaging 97.9 yards receiving per game to rank second in the MIAA and has reached the endzone eight times.

Defensively, Jose Delgado leads the team in tackles with 64, while adding 3.5 sacks. Nathan Shepherd is the team leader in sacks with four. Doyin Jibowu leads in interceptions with four, while Kamon Clayton has broken up a team-high 11 passes.

The Tigers will be looking to break the school record for wins in a season. Fort Hays State has seen eight 8-win seasons in its history, but this year’s team looks to push that mark further with three weeks remaining in the regular season.

Game Promotions
–Make a Difference Day: Fans attending the football game on Saturday are invited to bring one or more items (non-perishable food, new clothing, hygiene products) or consider making a monetary donation to the Hope Pantry. Collection sites will be located at each entry into Lewis Field. Those who contribute will receive a raffle ticket for an exclusive Tiger Tailgate Package, including a reserved tailgate spot for the 2018 season, along with a cooler and other items for the perfect tailgating experience! The prize package will be given away at halftime.

-The annual Costumes and Candy event will take place during Saturday’s game as well. Kids Pre-school-12 years old will get into the game for FREE if they wear their Halloween Costume. There will also be a registration table outside the entrance on the east side of Lewis Field to sign up for the Trunk or Treat which will occur between the 3^rd and 4^th quarter. The first 100 kids to register and wear a costume will get a free book courtesy of the KNEA-Student Program at FHSU.

HAYS, Kan. – After a two-game losing-skid, the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team got back on track as they defeated Nebraska-Kearney 1-0 at home. The Tigers avenged an early season loss to the Lopers with the win, and improve to 9-5-3 overall and 6-3-1 in MIAA play. The win also helped the Tigers secure the No. 4 seed and an MIAA Conference Tournament match on their home field next Wednesday (Nov. 1) at 7 p.m.

Both teams heading to the locker room scoreless after the first half as neither team was able to net a goal in the first 45 minutes. The blistering cold added another level to the match as the players tried to keep their legs warm in an effort to score. Only three shots were taken in the first half with the Tigers attempting just one compared to two from the Lopers. Neither goalie on the field was able to collect a save as all shots soared past outside the goal.

With the second half underway, the Tigers got their offensive minds working as they were able to outshoot Nebraska-Kearney 13-2 in the final period. Just ten minutes into the half, Jasmine Beaulieu netted her second goal of the season off a double-assist from Eden Stoddard and Olympia Katsouridis. The ball slipt past Ali Hirschman on the right to put the Tigers up 1-0 over the Lopers. This goal would go on to be the game-winner as UNK was unable to hit the back of the net from either of their two attempts.

With the win, the Tigers break their two-match losing streak and pick up their ninth win this season. Senior goalkeeper Kristen Thompson earned the win in net and improves to 6-3-1 as the anchor for the Tigers this season. Thompson has a team-leading 41 saves in her 10 matches played this year. Hirschman gets the loss for the Lopers in net, and drops to 3-9-2 on the year. Hirschman accounted for the only five saves from any goalie to participate in the match.

The Tigers sent their five seniors out in style with the win as Stoddard, Thompson, Beaulieu, Baylie Schmitz and Silvana Romero all walked away with a win in their final regular-season home match as FHSU soccer players. The seniors now boast a cumulative record of 48-23-9 overall with the victory tonight.

The Tigers will be back in action on Sunday (Oct. 29) in their final regular-season match of 2017 as they travel east to Washburn. Earlier this season, the Ichabods defeated the Tigers 1-0. After that contest, the Tigers will enter the MIAA conference tournament as the No. 4 seed on Wednesday as the first-round gets underway at 7 p.m.

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team outlasted bitter conditions as they defeated the Upper Iowa peacocks 5-2 on Thursday evening. The Tigers improved to 9-5-2 overall and 6-1 in MIAA play as the Peacocks dipped to 5-9 on the year and 0-6 in conference play.

It didn’t take long for the Tigers to get on the board as Fort Hays State utilized the brisk wind behind their backs and junior Tobias Patino connected on a pass to Derick Gonzalez who then set up Abdoulaye Cisse to score the first goal of the game in the ninth minute. Cisse scored his eighth goal of the season and Gonzalez kept his team record streak of consecutive matches tallying a point alive with his 12th assist on the year.

The Tigers went into halftime with a little help from the Peacocks as they scored an own goal in the 45th minute to push the Tiger lead to 2-0. With the wind advantage, the Tigers were able to get 11 shots and five shots on goal in the first period.

The Peacocks were determined to get on the board out of the break with the wind at their backs and got what they ordered. Upper Iowa scored their first goal of the match in the 50th minute as Efrain Gonzalez, Jr set up Italo Martins with a through ball that Martins lobbed over the head of Michael Yantz and found the back of the net to cut the Tiger lead in half, 2-1.

After a sequence of four straight shots from Brian Ness, Benji Granillo, Raul Fierro and Granillo again, Gonzalez was able to sneak one past the keeper for his team-leading ninth goal of the season on the rebound from Granillo’s blocked shot to give the Tigers the 3-1 advantage in the 61st minute. The Peacocks were able to find a hole in the Tiger defense to cut into the lead once again roughly two minutes later on a flick off of a corner kick delivery from Ryan Crabtree with Tate Lofdahl scoring his first goal of the season.

The Tigers struck again in the 72nd minute of the match when Nathan De La Hoya, Gonzalez and Ness dribbled the ball between each other in the box and Ness took advantage and delivered a strike in the back left corner of the net doubling the Tigers lead to 4-2. Ness picked up his second goal of the season and Gonzalez added another assist to his increase his season total to 13 and now owning the season record for most assists in year in program history.

FHSU was not done on this blustery fall night as Fierro earned his seventh score of the year on a blocked shot attempt from Luis Mendez that beat keeper Connor Rortvedt and gave the Tigers the 5-2 lead in the 88th minute.

Yantz earned the victory in goal for the Tigers tonight as he improved his overall record to 7-4-2 on the season. Fort Hays State outshot Upper Iowa 27 to 6 in the match, with a 16-5 advantage of shots on frame.

The Tigers are back in action on Sunday (Oct. 29) as they host the Lindenwood Lions for at least a share of the conference title with a win. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State wrestling team was picked third in the 2017-18 MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released on Wednesday (Oct.25).

Nebraska-Kearney tops the poll as the favorite to win. The Lopers, the MIAA Tournament champion five straight years, received four first-place votes just ahead of Central Oklahoma, the defending MIAA dual champion, which received the other two first-place votes. Lindenwood was tabbed fourth and rounding out the final two spots are Central Missouri and Newman.

It will be a young team again for the Tigers as they have several new wrestlers looking to shine on the mat. Returning this year is All-American sophomore Brandon Ball who finished sixth at the NCAA Championships last season. Also returning are a pair of sophomores, Greg Tooley and Christian Lance, who reached the NCAA Championships but dropped out one round before qualifying for All-American status.

The Tigers will open up the season with the annual Black and Gold scrimmage on Thursday (Nov. 2) at 7 p.m.

Below is the complete MIAA preseason poll:

2017-18 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Nebraska-Kearney (4) 24
2. Central Oklahoma (2) 22
3. Fort Hays State 16
4. Lindenwood 14
5. Central Missouri 9
6. Newman 5

The Fort Hays State Women’s Soccer team remains at No. 8 in the NCAA Region Rankings released on Wednesday (Oct. 25). The Tigers have claimed the eighth spot in now both set of rankings this season. The Tigers are 8-5-3 overall so far in their first season under head coach Blake Reynolds with just two regular-season MIAA matches remaining.

Fort Hays State remains one of four schools from the MIAA in the top eight of the Central Region rankings. Central Missouri has captured the No. 1 spot for the second-consecutive release at 16-0 overall. Missouri Western moved up to No. 3 at 14-2-0, while Northeastern State slides up to No. 5 at 13-2-0. FHSU defeated Missouri Western earlier this season, but fell recently to Northeastern State. The Tigers also tied the No. 6 team in the region, Augustana (S.D.) in a neutral site match earlier this year. Six 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 25, 2017.

Rank Team Division II Record In-Region Record
1 Central Missouri 16-0-0 16-0-0
2 Bemidji State 13-0-2 13-0-2
3 Missouri Western 14-2-0 14-2-0
4 Minnesota State 13-2-1 13-2-1
5 Northeastern State 13-2-0 13-2-0
6 Augustana (S.D.) 10-2-4 10-2-4
7 Oklahoma Baptist 11-1-2 11-1-2
8 Fort Hays State 8-5-3 8-5-3

KEARNEY, Neb. – Fort Hays State fell in straight sets at No. 7 ranked Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday evening (Oct. 24). The Lopers took the match by scores of 25-18, 25-21, and 25-15 to remain on top of the MIAA standings, moving to 24-2 overall and 11-1 in the MIAA. FHSU moved to 10-16 overall and 2-10 in the MIAA.

The Tigers held small leads several times early in the first set, but with the score tied 12-12 the Lopers went on a 7-1 burst to take a comfortable lead. UNK cruised the remainder of the set, outhitting FHSU .222 to .093.

Another 7-1 run by the Lopers early in the second set put the Tigers at arm’s length. UNK maintained the comfortable margin nearly the entire set, leading by as many as seven points a couple times before FHSU made a late push, but it was too little, too late though. FHSU went on a 4-0 run to make it 24-21 before UNK collected the clinching point of the set.

The Tigers kept the third set close early, tying the Lopers at 6-6 and pulling within one at 12-11. However, UNK closed out the match on a 13-4 run, scoring the final four points of the match.

Kylie Rollman had a big match for the Tigers, producing a .481 hitting percentage on 15 kills. She had just two errors in 27 attempts. Magan Alexander chipped in seven kills. Amirah Bentley led the Tigers in assists with 19, though Becca Page took over the setting duties in the third set and produced nine. Taylor White was the only Tiger to reach double figures in digs with 21, averaging seven per set.

For UNK, Kendall Schroer led the way with 14 kills and a hitting percentage of .355. Julianne Jackson added 10 kills, while Anna Squiers was very efficient hitting .615 with nine kills and just one error on 13 attempts. Lindsey Smith churned out 36 assists, while Ellie McDonnell led four players that reached double figures in digs with 14.

The Tigers continue their road swing in Topeka on Saturday (Oct. 28). The Tigers will take on Washburn in conference play at 1 pm before staying at Lee Arena and playing a non-conference match immediately following against Oklahoma Baptist at 3 pm. FHSU defeated Oklahoma Baptist 3-0 at the MIAA-GAC Crossover Tournament in Bethany, Oklahoma earlier this year.

MONKEY ISLAND, Okla. – The Fort Hays State men’s golf team wrapped up the fall portion of their schedule with an eighth place finish overall and fourth among MIAA teams at the Missouri Southern State University Fall Invitational (Oct. 23-24). The event was hosted at Shangri-La Country Club in Monkey Island, Okla.

Skyler Tebo led the Tigers with a top-15 finish for the first time this season as he finished tied for 12th after shooting rounds of 77, 73 and 76 to complete the week 10-over par (226). Tebo finished fifth among MIAA competitors for the tournament.

Mac McNish finished in a tie for 29th after firing rounds of 78, 73 and 78 for a total of 229. Seve Sites navigated the course with rounds of 81, 78 and 77 and finished tied for 48th individually and Colton Bobek claimed a tied for 64th finish with rounds of 84, 76 and 79. Isaiah Grover shot rounds of 82, 83 and 88.

Central Oklahoma took the team title with a ten-over par (289-284-301) finish. The Bronchos finished the tournament with an 874. Missouri-St. Louis claimed second as a team with a score of 891 and Harding finished third (898). Mason Banger of Central Oklahoma captured the individual title with a two-under par performance and a total of 214 for the week.

LIBERTY, Mo. – After moving up one spot in the AFCA Division II Poll on Monday, the Tigers moved up the same amount in the D2Football.com Poll, released on Tuesday (Oct. 24). The Tigers are No. 8 this week, while they are No. 7 in the AFCA Poll.

Unlike the AFCA Poll, where FHSU is among eight undefeated teams at the top of the list, the D2Football.com Poll has a pair of one-loss teams in front of FHSU. Those two teams, Ashland (No. 4) and Ferris State (No. 7) are in Super Region 3 along with FHSU. Indianapolis, which is No. 6 in the AFCA Poll, is No. 10 in the D2Football.com Poll. The D2Football.com Poll has five teams from Super Region 3 in the Top 10.

Northwest Missouri State remains No. 1 in both national polls. Central Missouri (No. 17) joins FHSU and NWMSU as MIAA schools in the Top 25 of the D2Football.com Poll.

Below is the D2Football.com Poll for October 24, 2017.

Team Record Previous
1 Northwest Missouri State 8-0 1
2 Indiana (Pa.) 8-0 2
3 Minnesota State 8-0 3
4 Ashland 7-1 5
5 Shepherd 7-0 6
6 Midwestern State 6-0 7
7 Ferris State 6-1 8
8 Fort Hays State 8-0 9
9 Texas A&M-Commerce 6-1 10
10 Indianapolis 8-0 11
11 Winona State 8-0 12
12 Central Washington 8-0 14
13 Sioux Falls 7-1 15
14 Grand Valley State 6-2 4
15 Assumption 7-0 16
16 Wingate 7-0 18
17 Central Missouri 6-2 20
18 Virginia State 7-0 21
19 Colorado Mesa 7-1 22
20 West Georgia 6-2 24
21 Humboldt State 6-1 25
22 CSU-Pueblo 6-2 23
23 West Alabama 6-2 13
24 Minnesota Duluth 6-2 NR
25 California 6-2 NR

WACO, Texas – Fort Hays State moved up one spot in the latest edition of the AFCA Division II Poll, released on Monday (Oct. 23). The Tigers are now No. 7, benefitting from a loss by previously No. 7 ranked Grand Valley State this past Saturday. The top seven teams in the nation all remain undefeated.

The No. 7 ranking is just one step shy of the highest ranking the program has ever held in an official Division II football poll. FHSU was No. 6 in the poll produced by the NCAA Rankings Committee on September 16, 1996. The AFCA took over producing the official poll in 2000. The current ranking is the highest for the program since September 9, 1996, when the Tigers were also No. 7.

Fort Hays State defeated Missouri Western 38-10 this past Saturday to move to 8-0 for the first time in school history. In the MIAA standings, the Tigers kept pace with No. 1 ranked Northwest Missouri State, which ran its win streak to 38 games dating back to the start of 2015 with a 19-0 shutout of Lindenwood. Central Missouri (6-2) joins FHSU and Northwest Missouri in the top 25 this week after a win over Washburn. The Mules are No. 23 in the poll this week.

The first set of NCAA Regional Rankings are due to release Monday (Oct. 23). The top seven teams in Super Region 3 are selected to compete in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. There will be three releases of the regional rankings before the selections are made following the end of the regular season.

Below is the AFCA Division II Poll for October 23, 2017.
Rank School (1st votes) Record Points Previous
1. Northwest Missouri State (34) 8-0 850 1
2. Shepherd (W.Va.) 7-0 794 2
3. Minnesota State 8-0 753 4
4. Indiana (Pa.) 8-0 749 3
5. Midwestern State (Texas) 6-0 697 5
6. Indianapolis (Ind.) 8-0 687 6
7. Fort Hays State (Kan.) 8-0 646 8
8. Central Washington 8-0 571 9
9. Texas A&M-Commerce 6-1 539 10
10. Winona State (Minn.) 8-0 537 11
11. Ferris State (Mich.) 6-1 503 12
12t. Ashland (Ohio) 7-1 475 13
12t. Assumption (Mass.) 7-0 475 14
14. Sioux Falls (S.D.) 7-1 397 15
15. Colorado Mesa 7-1 382 16
16. Wingate (N.C.) 7-0 349 20
17. Virginia State 7-0 303 21
18. Humboldt State (Calif.) 6-1 250 22
19. Grand Valley State (Mich.) 6-2 216 7
20. Bowie State (Md.) 7-1 206 23
21. Eastern New Mexico 6-1 168 24
22. Findlay (Ohio) 7-1 115 NR
23. Central Missouri 6-2 83 NR
24. Colorado State-Pueblo 6-2 82 NR
25. West Alabama 6-2 70 18
Others Receiving Votes: West Georgia, 33; Slippery Rock (Pa.), 26; Delta St. (Miss.), 20; California (Pa.), 19; Washburn (Kan.), 18; Shippensburg (Pa.), 17; Arkansas Tech, 7; Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), 5; Azusa Pacific (Calif.), 3; Catawba (N.C.), 1; Minnesota-Duluth, 1; Notre Dame (Ohio), 1; Southern Arkansas, 1; West Florida, 1.

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team defeated the University of Mary 2-0 on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 22). The victory moves the Tigers to 8-5-2 on the season, while Mary falls to 6-6-1 on the year. The loss ended Mary’s three-match win streak.

The Tigers came out aggressive in the first half as they outshot the Marauders eight to two, but neither team could find the back of the net as they went into halftime scoreless.

Abdoulaye Cisse got the ball rolling in the second half as he scored his seventh goal of the season from 10 yards out in the 56th minute on a loose ball following a corner kick. The Tigers kept the 1-0 advantage until the 67th minute as Caesar Jones connected on a rebound that ricocheted between players in front of the net.

The score held up as the Tigers rebounded from a seven-match win streak snapped last Sunday. Alex Rodela earned the victory in goal for the Tigers as he improved his record to 2-1 on year.

Fort Hays State outshot Mary 18-5 on the afternoon. The Tigers were able to produce offensive opportunities with 11 corner kicks in the match.

The Tigers will play their final three regular season matches at home. The run begins with Upper Iowa on Thursday (Oct. 26), starting at 5 pm.