HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team dropped a hard-fought match to Lindenwood on Sunday by a score of 3-2. With the loss the No. 16 ranked Tigers now sit at 7-3-1 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA. The No. 22 ranked Lions are now alone at the top of the MIAA standings with an overall record of 9-2-2 and 4-0 mark in the conference.

The Lions got on the board early when they scored just 2:08 into the match. Nijaz Muratovic was able to gain possession of a loose ball in the Tiger box then rifled it past the Tiger keeper, Michael Yantz, for his third goal of the season. They extended their lead in the 32nd minute when leading scorer Xhovani Dokaj found the back of the net for his 12^th goal of the season. Similar to the first goal, Dokaj was in the right place at the right time when a loose ball landed at his feet and with a strike put Lindenwood up 2-0.

The Tigers looked like a different team in the second half as they came out with intensity. Derick Gonzalez cut the lead in half with his sixth goal of the season. Mauricio Castorino lobbed a slow ball into the box that found Gonzalez who drilled it past the keeper. In the 63rd minute, Luis Torres made it a 2-2 game with his sixth goal of the season. Torres took advantage of a loose ball that was bouncing around in the box and about six yards out got a good strike to get it past the keeper.

With all the momentum in their favor by outworking Lindenwood the entire second half, the Tigers let the golden opportunity for a comeback win slip away with just 1:35 to play in regulation. Lindenwood set up one of its few opportunities in the second half methodically as Jose Sanchez was the beneficiary of some nifty passing from Dokaj and Gaspar Alvarez. He was able to get a flick on the ball in front of the net that would send the Lions to their eighth consecutive win.

Michael Yantz took the loss in net for the Tigers with three saves and drops to 5-3-1 this season.

The Tigers look to bounce back on Saturday when they take a break from MIAA play. They host University of Mary at 7 pm in Hays.

FHSU Sports Information

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State improved to 8-3-1 overall and 4-1 in the MIAA with a 3-0 shutout of Missouri Western on Sunday. The Tigers scored two first half goals into the wind, then tacked on another late downwind to cruise to victory. Missouri Western moved to 8-4 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA.

The Tigers took control within the first four minutes of the game when Kelsey Steffens corralled a pass from Jasmine Beaulieu just outside the box and made a nice turn to get in scoring position. Eden Stoddard broke free on the right side of the box and easily buried a shot past the keeper off a nice pass from Steffens. Beaulieu and Steffens each earned assists on the play.

In the 26th minute, Hannay Jurgens earned her first goal of the season with a header off a corner kick from Darby Hirsch. The Tiger defense kept the Griffons from making any threat in the second half and Kylie Thomas picked up Fort Hays State’s third goal in the 73^rd minute. Hirsch sent a missile for a shot from about 30 yards out into the keeper’s hands. Silvana Romero touched the rebound before the ball went off the back of Thomas’ leg into the goal. Hirsch earned her second assist of the match on the play.

The Tigers outshot the Griffons 9-5 in the match and Abbie Flax saved all three shots the Griffons put on goal. Flax moved to 6-3-1 on the season in goal. Paige Labadie took the loss for MWSU, dropping to 2-3.

The Tigers hit the road next weekend for another pair of MIAA matches. FHSU is at Southwest Baptist on Thursday (Oct. 13) at 4 pm, then at Missouri Southern on Saturday (Oct. 15) at 11 am.

FHSU Sports Information

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Jacob Mezera threw for five touchdowns and ran for another to lead Fort Hays State to a 54-41 win over Pittsburg State in front of 10,238 at Carnie Smith Stadium Saturday afternoon. Mezera completed 31 of 38 passes for 446 yards and rushed for 62 yards as the Tigers back to back games in Pittsburg for the first time since 1970 and 72. The Tigers have now won four straight and improve to 5-1 in the MIAA.

Chris Brown Postgame Press Conference

Jacob Mezera Postgame Intervicw

Raheeme Dumas Postgame Intervicw

Game Highlights

 

Mezera connected twice with Charles Tigner and once with Kenneth Iheme as the Tigers built a 24-20 halftime lead. He hit Iheme and Shaquille Cooper the ran for a nine-yard runs as the Tigers scored touchdowns on their first three possession of the second half to build a 21-point lead.

Mezera completed passes to nine different players including eight to Charles Tigner who led the Tigers with 160 receiving yards.

The Fort Hays State defense forced punts on the Gorillas first two possessions of the third quarter and Reheeme Dumas intercepted two passes.

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State University volleyball team was unable to recover from a slow start against No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney Tuesday evening, falling in three sets to the perennial powerhouse (14-25, 15-25, 19-25). It was the 20th-consecutive victory for the Lopers, who move to 6-0 in MIAA play. The Tigers slipped to 15-4 overall and 3-3 in the conference after the loss.

Kurt Kohler Postgame Interview

The visitors were incredibly effective on offense, recording 48 kills to just eight attack errors for a .367 hitting percentage. The Tigers were limited to a .136 attack percentage on the night, with the Lopers recording 55 digs and six blocks to bring down that percentage.

After the Tigers took the first three points in the match, UNK jumped out to a commanding double-digit lead with a 16-3 run. The Black and Gold weren’t able to close the gap any smaller than nine, losing by 11 in the set.

The Lopers never trailed in the second set while recording their best single set attack percentage of the night at .436, recording just one error in the frame. The Tigers never scored more than two points in a row during the set.

The home team came out of the locker room with a rejuvenated spirit and led for a good portion of the third set, forcing 15 tie scores and six lead changes. The Tigers led as late as 18-17 when Callie Christensen reached for a solo block, but the Lopers countered by scoring eight of the final nine points in the match to secure the victory.

Crystal Whitten led the Tigers with 11 kills while adding eight digs. Megan Anderson threw in eight kills and one solo block, while Christensen contributed two kills and two total blocks (one solo). Hannah Wagy posted 25 assists on the night, adding six digs and one kill.

The Tigers will continue MIAA play this weekend when they make the trip to Emporia, Kan. for a Friday evening (Oct. 7) match with Emporia State. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.

EDMOND, Okla. – Sophomore Hannah Perkins moved 17 spots up the leaderboard on day two of the UCO RCB Bank Classic at The Golf Club of Edmond. She finished at 12-over par overall, tying for 13th place. She carded rounds of 80 and 74 for a total of 154.

By shooting just 3-over par on day two, Perkins gained plenty of ground on the field. At one point she was 1-under through nine holes, benefitting from an eagle on a par 5. She was 11 strokes back of the winning score of 1-over par by Johany Rivera of St. Edward’s. Baylee Price of Northeastern State was the top MIAA golfer in the event at 4-over par.

Kylie McCarthy tied for 63rd with rounds of 86 and 83. Kelsey McCarthy (89, 85) tied for 74th, Madison Roether (100, 87) tied for 84th and Alexis Schaben finished alone in 87th with rounds of 99 and 101.

St. Edward’s won the team title with a total score of 603. Southwestern Oklahoma State took second with a score of 612 and Arkansas Tech finished with a score of 613. Fort Hays State’s 683 overall placed 15th overall and 7th among MIAA teams.

SALINA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men’s golf team improved by nine strokes from day one to day two at the Kansas Wesleyan Fall Invitational this week, finishing in a tie for ninth place. After sitting in 10th with a first round score of 315, the team fought through a weather delay to post a 306 on Tuesday (Oct. 4). It was the first time the team had four individuals post rounds in the 70s this season.

The tournament was held at the Salina Country Club, a par-70 course that measured 6,101 yards for the week. Following a sunny and breezy first round, the Tigers dealt with soggy conditions Tuesday after rain drenched the course early that morning.

After struggling to a nine-over 79 on Monday, junior Dalton Ayres rebounded to post a three-over 73 on Tuesday, finishing in a tie for 28th individually. Freshmen Isaiah Grover and Marcus Willey both finished at 18-over 158, tying for 49th place.

Colton Bobek was just five shots back of the leader heading into the second round after firing a five-over 75 in round one, but a second round 86 dropped the freshman into a tie for 57th. Sophomore Cash Hobson was one of just four players in the 77-man field to improve by double-digits between rounds, signing for an eight-over 78 in the second round after battling to a first round 91.

Sterling College won the event with an 11-over 568, placing three golfers in the top six.

After a week off, the Tigers will return to the course when they travel to St. Charles, Mo. for the second MIAA designated event of the season, hosted by Lindenwood University at the Missouri Bluffs Golf Club on October 17-18.

Fort Hays State Weekly Football Press Conference
October 4, 2016

Fort Hays State head coach Chris Brown conducted his weekly press conference in advance of Saturday’s key conference road game at Pittsburg State. Brown and selected players met with the media inside Lewis Field on Tuesday, a session that can be heard by clicking on the links below.

Coach Chris Brown

 

Senior safety DeAndre James

Freshman wide receiver Charles Tigner

Sophomore defensive lineman Wyatt Parker

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer moved up one spot in the latest NSCAA Division II Top 25 Poll, released on Tuesday (Oct. 4). The Tigers are No. 16 in the latest edition.

The Tigers have now owned every ranking possible between No. 15 and No. 20 in the nation this year. FHSU was No. 15 in the preseason poll and has now held the No. 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 rankings throughout the regular season. The Tigers are 6-2-1 overall for the season.

Fort Hays State and Lindenwood are the only two MIAA teams referenced in the latest poll. Lindenwood moved from receiving votes to No. 22 in the nation this week. So Sunday’s meeting between FHSU and Lindenwood in Hays will be a battle of ranked teams. Both are currently undefeated in conference play.

Rockhurst continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in the nation at 9-0-1 overall. One of FHSU’s two losses on the season was against Rockhurst.

Below is the NSCAA Division II Top 25 Poll for October 4, 2016.

Rank	School	Prev.	W-L-T
1	Rockhurst University	1	9-0-1
2	Simon Fraser University	4	8-0-0
3	University Of Charleston	5	9-1-0
4	LIU Post	8	9-0-0
5	Regis University	9	8-0-1
6	Wingate University	10	7-0-0
7	University Of Tampa	7	5-0-2
8	St. Edward’s University	3	9-1-0
9	Limestone College	14	8-0-0
10	Tusculum College	18	9-0-0
11	Barry University	11	5-1-0
12	Tiffin University	23	8-1-0
13	California State University-Los Angeles	12	5-1-3
14	Adelphi University	16	6-1-1
15	Lynn University	15	8-1-1
16	Fort Hays State University	17	6-2-1
17	Gannon University	19	6-2-1
18	Midwestern State University	25	7-2-1
19	University Of Southern Indiana	NR	9-1-0
20	California State University-Dominguez Hills	NR	7-2-1
21	Pfeiffer University	6	7-2-0
22	Lindenwood University	NR	7-2-2
23	Millersville University	22	6-2-2
24	Merrimack College	NR	8-1-0
25	Palm Beach Atlantic University	NR	6-2-1

Also receiving votes: Colorado Mesa University (14), Drury University (8), Notre Dame College (7), University of California-San Diego (5), Urbana University (2), Franklin Pierce University (2).

FHSU Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After a one week absence from the NSCAA Division II Poll, FHSU Women’s Soccer returned to the receiving votes section on Tuesday (Oct. 4). The Tigers have now been referenced in three of the last four polls released.

The Tigers broke into the top 25 for the first time in program history back on November 13. But after a draw and a loss, the Tigers dropped into the receiving votes section on September 20. FHSU was not referenced in the poll on September 27, but has returned to the receiving votes section this week.

The Tigers (6-3-1 overall) have posted five shutouts this season, gaining another last week at Lindenwood before falling 1-0 at No. 2 ranked Central Missouri. FHSU is at home for two matches this week against Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western.

Besides Central Missouri (9-0) at No. 2, Northeastern State is the only other MIAA school referenced in the poll. The RiverHawks moved up to No. 19 this week and remain unbeaten on the year at 10-0.

Below is the NSCAA Division II Top 25 Poll for October 4, 2016.

Rank	School	Prev.	W-L-T
1	Grand Valley State University	1	9-0-1
2	University of Central Missouri	2	9-0-0
3	East Stroudsburg University	4	9-1-0
4	Stonehill College	5	9-0-1
5	Western Washington University	7	9-0-1
6	Lee University	6	7-1-1
7	Colorado School Of Mines	3	9-1-0
8	University of California-San Diego	8	8-2-0
9	Columbus State University	13	7-2-0
10	Truman State University	10	9-0-1
11	West Chester University	9	10-0-0
12	Adelphi University	12	8-1-0
13	Minot State University	15	7-1-0
14	Nova Southeastern University	18	5-1-1
15	St. Edward’s University	NR	7-1-1
16	University of North Georgia	22	5-1-2
17	Rollins College	16	7-1-1
18	University Of Bridgeport	17	6-3-0
19	Northeastern State University	23	10-0-0
20	Bellarmine University	25	8-1-1
21	Limestone College	NR	8-1-0
22	Kutztown University	RV	8-2-0
23	Sonoma State University	19	7-2-1
24	Dallas Baptist University	NR	6-3-1
25	Central Washington University	RV	7-2-0

Also receiving votes: Carson-Newman University (7), Edinboro University (7), Texas A&M University-Commerce (5), Rockhurst University (4), Fort Hays State University (1).

 

FHSU Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State middle hitter Rebekah Spainhour and setter Hannah Wagy were named the MIAA Volleyball Athletes of the Week on Monday. Spainhour was named the Hitter of the Week, while Wagy earned Specialist of the Week honors.

Spainhour  helped the Tigers to a 2-1 record last week (2-0 in MIAA play), beating No. 6 Central Missouri for just the second time in program history on Friday then Lindenwood on Saturday. The senior let the team with a .405 attack percentage for the week, picking up 35 kills to just five errors. Spainhour led the team with 14 total blocks, five of which were solo swats. The middle hitter is the only student-athlete in the MIAA ranked in the top four in both attack percentage and blocks per set. For the season, she is hitting .360, averaging 3.27 kills and 1.03 blocks per set.

Wagy orchestrated the Tiger offense in going 2-0 in MIAA play, while producing a double-double of 39 assists and 10 digs in the upset of No. 6 ranked Central Missouri. The setter tossed up an average of 11.1 assists per set over three matches, adding 11 kills, 25 digs and five blocks (one solo). The senior continues to lead the conference in both total assists and assists per set. This is the second time this year Wagy has earned the Specialist of the Week honor.

FHSU Sports Information
WACO, Texas – Fort Hays State remains among the teams receiving votes in the AFCA Division II Top 25 Poll, released on Monday (Oct. 3). The Tigers are now the fourth-highest receiving votes team, gaining seven votes in the poll this week.

The MIAA boasts two top 25 teams and three among the receiving votes section. Northwest Missouri State continues its reign as the No. 1 team in the nation, while Emporia State moved up five spots to No. 18. Pittsburg State is the highest receiving votes team from the MIAA, with the Tigers right behind. FHSU travels to Pittsburg State this week. Central Missouri fell from the top 25 and sits behind the Tigers in the receiving votes section.

Fort Hays State looks for its second straight win in Pittsburg. The Tigers shocked a then No. 8 ranked Gorilla team in Pittsburg by a score of 7-6. The last time FHSU won consecutive games in Pittsburg was in 1970 and 1972. The Gorillas won last year’s meeting in Hays by a score of 31-24.

Below is the AFCA Division II Top 25 Poll for October 3, 2016.

Rank School (1st votes) Record Pts. Prev.
1. Northwest Missouri St. (30) 5-0 750 1
2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) 5-0 717 2
3. Shepherd (W.Va.) 4-0 684 4
4. Texas A&M-Commerce 4-0 655 6
5. Henderson St. (Ark.) 5-0 623 7
6. Indiana (Pa.) 4-0 574 8
7. Midwestern St. (Texas) 4-0 564 10
8. Tuskegee (Ala.) 5-0 528 11
9. Sioux Falls (S.D.) 5-0 474 12
10. Azusa Pacific (Calif.) 5-0 436 14
11. North Alabama 3-1 421 18
12. West Georgia 4-1 387 3
13. Colorado Mesa 5-0 380 17
14. Ferris St. (Mich.) 4-1 352 13
15. California (Pa.) 4-0 315 24
16. Harding (Ark.) 5-0 312 20
17. Ashland (Ohio) 4-1 305 5
18. Emporia St. (Kan.) 4-1 208 23
19. Slippery Rock (Pa.) 4-1 185 9
20. Southwest Baptist (Mo.) 5-0 148 NR
21. LIU-Post (N.Y.) 5-0 134 NR
22. Assumption (Mass.) 4-1 94 15
23. Florida Tech 4-1 90 16
24. North Carolina-Pembroke 4-1 81 21
25t. Bemidji St. (Minn.) 4-1 73 NR
25t. Valdosta St. (Ga.) 3-1 73 NR

Others Receiving Votes: Wayne St. (Mich.), 64; Minnesota-Duluth, 55; Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 39; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 8; Central Missouri, 5; Notre Dame (Ohio), 5; Bloomsburg (Pa.), 4; Newberry (S.C.), 4; Southern Arkansas, 2; Colorado School of Mines, 1.