FHSU Sports Information
LAREDO, Texas – Fort Hays State used about every tick of the clock possible to notch its first win of the season in a 2-1 overtime win at Texas A&M-International on Thursday night (Sept. 8). Derick Gonzalez provided the golden goal with only two possible seconds remaining to avoid a tie in the double overtime thriller.

The 20th-ranked Tigers took the upper hand with a goal by Tobias Patino in the 55th minute. Maurizio Costa earned an assist by blasting a shot off the goalkeeper that rebounded to Patino for the scoring strike.

Misfortune struck FHSU in the 65th minute as the Dustdevils tied the match when FHSU mishandled a ball that went into their own goal.

With the score all square at the end of 90 minutes, the Tigers went to overtime for the second time in their first three games. It looked as though the Tigers were going to have to settle for their second draw of the season, but Mauricio Castorino found Gonzalez about 20 yards out just before the final horn sounded to lift the Tigers to victory. Gonzalez snuck his shot just inside the left post for the winning score.

Alex Rodela picked up the win in goal for the Tigers, now 1-0 on the season, playing all 109:58 of the match. He had four saves on the night. He had a big save with 20 seconds remaining, which triggered the final push for the Tigers just before the clock expired.

The Tigers have a long drive back and Hays and look to rest up for their home opener on Monday night (Sept. 12) against UC-Colorado Springs at 5 pm.

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – 16th-ranked Central Missouri scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, building a 14-0 first quarter lead then held off Fort Hays State the rest of the night for a 34-17 win over the Tigers Thursday at Walton Stadium. The Mules (2-0) amassed 514 yards of offense while the Tigers (1-1), who were forced to punt on seven of their eight first half possessions, were held to 223 yards.

Chris Brown Postgame Interview

Chico Feltenberber Postgame Interview

Alex Schmidtberger Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

UCM quarterback Garrett Fugate completed 26 of 39 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Jaylen Zachary on strikes of 58 and 13 yards in the first quarter which gave the Mules the early lead.

Malik Thomas, who didn’t play in the second half because of knee discomfort, scored on a three-yard run early in the second quarter to pull the Tigers within seven. The Mules would kick a field goal on the next possession to push their lead to 17-7 where it would remain the rest of the quarter.

The Tiger defense stopped the Mules on fourth down on their first possession of the third quarter, but UCM would get two touchdown runs over the next seven minutes to push the lead to 21.

T.J. Thomas scored on a  nine-yard run to close the gap to 31-17. The Mules then put the game away with a 14-play, 82-yard drive which ended with a 26-yard Billy Greco 26-yard field goal with 0:58 to play to seal the win.

Jacob Mezera completed 15 of 28 passes for 141 yards and an interception. Shaquille Cooper rushed for 63 yards on 12 carries to lead a Tiger ground game that was held to 82 yards.

Alex Schmidtberger recorded 17 tackles to lead the defense. Redshirt freshman Tanner Hoekman recovered a fumble and had an interception.

FHSU Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer was tabbed No. 20 in the first regular season release of the NSCAA Division II Top 25 Poll, released on Tuesday. The Tigers were ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll, but fell to No. 20 after an 0-1-1 start to the 2016 season.

The Tigers tied Alderson Broaddus before falling to No. 3 ranked Rockhurst in Kansas City this past weekend. The Tigers play at Texas A&M-International this week on Thursday night before returning home to face UC-Colorado Springs on Monday. UC-Colorado Springs is receiving votes in the latest poll.

Joining the Tigers in the rankings from the MIAA is Lindenwood at No. 23, which opened its season at 1-1-1 overall. When this poll was conducted, Lindenwood had yet to take its first loss of the season.

Below is the NSCAA Division II Top 25 for September 6, 2016.

Rank	School	Prev.	W-L-T
1	Pfeiffer University	1	2-0-0
2	University Of Charleston	2	2-0-0
3	Rockhurst University	5	2-0-0
4	Lynn University	25	2-0-0
5	Southern New Hampshire University	8	1-0-0
6	Simon Fraser University	NR	2-0-0
7	St. Edward’s University	14	2-0-0
8	LIU Post	9	2-0-0
9	Midwestern State University	7	1-0-1
10	Saint Leo University	RV	1-0-0
11	Wingate University	18	1-0-0
12	Urbana University	16	2-0-0
13	Northwood University (Mich.)	12	1-0-0
14	Fresno Pacific University	22	1-0-1
15	Merrimack College	19	2-0-0
16	Barry University	NR	3-0-0
17	Saginaw Valley State University	21	2-0-0
18	Millersville University	RV	2-0-0
19	Limestone College	RV	2-0-0
20	Fort Hays State University	15	0-1-1
21	Colorado Mesa University	NR	1-0-1
22	California State University-Los Angeles	24	1-0-1
23	Lindenwood University	NR	1-0-1
24	University Of Tampa	NR	2-0-0
25	Seton Hill University	NR	2-0-0

Also receiving votes: University Of Indianapolis (14), Wilmington University (10), Colorado School Of Mines (10), Palm Beach Atlantic University (4), Carson-Newman University (4), Point Loma Nazarene University (4), University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (1)

MIAA Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Mike Racy has been selected as the next commissioner of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) by the conference’s Chief Executive Officers Council.

Racy will succeed Dr. Bob Boerigter, who after six years with the MIAA announced in May his retirement effective January 31, 2017. Racy will be the fifth full-time commissioner in MIAA history.

“The MIAA is a great NCAA conference, with a stellar reputation for academic excellence, national championship success and service to community.  I am thrilled to be selected as the next commissioner of the MIAA.  I would like to thank Chancellor Kristensen and the MIAA CEO Council for giving me this opportunity to lead the conference office and to serve the CEO’s, student-athletes, coaches, faculty and administrators at MIAA member institutions,“ stated Racy.

Racy joined the NCAA staff in November 1993 and went on to serve as the NCAA Division II vice president from 1999 to 2013. In that position, he was a member of the NCAA President’s Cabinet; managed the Division II governance structure and the division’s $30 million annual budget; provided leadership in the consideration of policies, legislation and issues that affected Division II member institutions and conferences; and coordinated the national office staff support and services for the division’s membership. Most recently, Racy has served as a collegiate athletics consultant.

“Mike Racy’s experience on the national level and his strong sense of the values of Division II make him a perfect match for the MIAA. I am confident he will lead the tradition-rich MIAA with a forward-looking strategic view,” said Doug Kristensen, Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and chair of the CEO Council.

Under Racy’s leadership, Division II developed and implemented a groundbreaking strategic-positioning platform; created a National Championships Festival series; and passed landmark “Life in the Balance” legislation that reframed the educational and athletics experience for Division II student-athletes, coaches and administrators.

A Kansas native, Racy was born in Lawrence and grew up in Abilene. He attended Washburn University in Topeka and worked for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) after his graduation, then went on to earn a law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, in 1992. That was followed by his legal practice with Gage and Tucker (now Lathrop and Gage) law firm in Kansas City as a general litigation attorney.

Racy and his wife, Kathy, have three sons – Cal, Zac and Ty.

FHSU Sports Information

GOODWELL, Okla. – Fort Hays State University volleyball senior Crystal Whitten has been given Tournament MVP honors for her performance in the Aggies Challenge last weekend. In addition, Hannah Wagy was one of seven other student-athletes named to the All-Tournament team. The All-Tournament team, announced Tuesday evening (Sept. 6) by the Oklahoma Panhandle State athletic department, was voted on by the coaches of all six participating schools.

Whitten finished with 56 kills for the weekend, second only to UC-Colorado Springs’ Alyssa Brinton (58). The outside hitter added 40 digs, six block assists and three service aces. She was listed on ballots from all four coaches FHSU played.

Wagy turned in a strong weekend as the primary setter, tossing up 10.38 assists per set (135 assists). The senior also contributed four block assists, seven kills and 17 digs.

The Tigers will return to the floor this weekend (Sept. 9-10) when they travel to Salt Lake City, Utah for the Fairfield Inn & Suites Volleyball Invitational, hosted by Westminster College.

Fort Hays State Weekly Football Press Conference
September 6, 2016

Fort Hays State head football coach Chris Brown along with select players met with members of the media on Tuesday afternoon at Lewis Field.

The Tigers, who are coming off a 22-10 win over Missouri Southern State in their season opener, travel to Warrensburg, Mo. Thursday to play No. 16 Central Missouri at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Head coach Chris Brown

Senior cornerback Raheeme Dumas

Senior offensive lineman Chico Feltenberger

FHSU Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After helping the Fort Hays State University women’s soccer team give up just one goal in 279 minutes of play over the weekend, senior CheyAnn Queener has been named MIAA Women’s Soccer Co-Defensive Player of the Week, announced Tuesday by the league office. Queener shared the honor with Central Missouri’s Abby Rhodes.

Queener helped anchor a defense that was stellar all weekend, giving FHSU its first 3-0 start in program history. The Tigers picked up a pair of shutouts, allowing an average of five shots per match against a trio of NSIC opponents. Queener and the rest of the back line surrendered just four shots on goal all weekend.

The Colorado Springs, Colo. native aided FHSU in limiting Southwest Minnesota State to six shots (two on goal) in a 3-0 win Thursday before holding Upper Iowa to just four shots (one on goal) in another 3-0 win Saturday. Minot State managed just five shots (one on goal) in a 2-1 overtime win for FHSU on Monday, with the lone shot on goal being a penalty kick.

The Tigers will look to extend their winning streak this weekend when they host Northwestern Oklahoma State in their home opener on Sunday, September 11. First kick from FHSU Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.

WACO, Texas – Fort Hays State is receiving votes in the first American Football Coaches Association poll released Monday. The Tigers received 13 votes, up from the six they received in the preseason rankings. Defending national champion Northwest Missouri State is still first. Central Missouri of the MIAA moved up four spots to No. 16. Emporia State dropped out of the top-25 following their home loss the top-ranked Bearcats, but are still receiving votes. Pittsburg State and Central Oklahoma, who were receiving votes in the preseason poll, dropped out completely.

2016 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll – September 5, 2016

Rank	School (1st votes)	Rec.	Pts.	Prev.	Season Opener	Next Game
1.	Northwest Missouri St. (30)	1-0	750	1	D. No. 24 Emporia St. (Kan.), 41-14	Sept. 8 vs. Washburn (Kan.)
2.	West Georgia	1-0	703	2	D. No. 22 Catawba (N.C.), 23-3	Sept. 10 at Miles (Ala.)
3.	Grand Valley St. (Mich.)	1-0	687	3	D. Tiffin (Ohio), 45-7	Sept. 10 vs. Lake Erie (Ohio)
4.	Shepherd (W.Va.)	1-0	650	4	D. West Virginia Wesleyan, 27-12	Sept. 8 at Charleston (W.Va.)
5.	Ashland (Ohio)	1-0	615	6	D. Mercyhurst (Pa.), 48-0	Sept. 10 vs. Wayne St. (Mich.)
6.	Minnesota State	1-0	581	7	D. Minot St. (N.D.), 35-7	Sept. 10 vs. Bemidji State (Minn.)
7.	Ferris St. (Mich.)	1-0	493	12	D. Ohio Dominican, 41-0	Sept. 10 at Michigan Tech
8.	Texas A&M-Commerce	1-0	481	9t	D. Faith (Fla.), 62-0	Sept. 10 at Delta State (Miss.)
9.	Henderson State (Ark.)	1-0	479	9t	D. Southeastern Oklahoma State, 13-11	Sept. 10 at East Central (Okla.)
10.	Indiana (Pa.)	0-0	474	8	Idle	Sept. 10 at East Stroudsburg (Pa.)
11.	Colorado School of Mines	1-0	449	18	D. No. 5 Colorado State-Pueblo, 57-21	Sept. 10 at New Mexico Highlands
12.	Slippery Rock (Pa.)	1-0	438	11	D. New Haven (Conn.), 31-28	Sept. 10 at West Chester (Pa.)
13.	Humboldt St. (Calif.)	1-0	398	13	D. Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 52-45	Sept. 10 vs. No. 24 Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
14.	Midwestern State (Texas)	1-0	376	14	D. Truman State (Mo.), 31-19	Sept. 17 at Texas A&M-Kingsville
15.	Tuskegee (Ala.)	1-0	297	17	D. Clark Atlanta (Ga.), 36-13	Sept. 10 vs. Albany State (Ga.)
16.	Central Missouri	1-0	290	20	D. Pittsburg State (Kan.), 34-27	Sept. 8 vs. Fort Hays State (Kan.)
17.	Sioux Falls (S.D.)	1-0	207	23	D. St. Cloud State (Minn.), 49-13	Sept. 10 vs. Minnesota State-Moorhead
18.	Assumption (Mass.)	1-0	203	21	D. Kutztown (Pa.), 45-21	Sept. 9 at Pace (N.Y.)
19.	Colorado St.-Pueblo	0-1	198	5	Lost to No. 18 Colorado School of Mines, 57-21	Sept. 10 vs. West Texas A&M
20.	North Alabama	0-1	189	15	Lost to Jacksonville St. (Ala.), 31-12	Sept. 17 vs. No. 23 Valdosta State (Ga.)
21.	Augustana (S.D.)	1-0	143	25	D. Northern State (S.D.), 37-34 OT	Sept. 10 at Mary (N.D.)
22.	Florida Tech	1-0	108	NR	D. Newberry (S.C.), 42-28	Sept. 10 vs. Mississippi College
23.	Valdosta St. (Ga.)	1-0	104	NR	D. Albany State (Ga.), 16-7	Sept. 17 at No. 20 North Alabama
24.	Azusa Pacific (Calif.)	1-0	83	NR	D. West Texas A&M, 28-10	Sept. 10 at No. 13 Humboldt State (Calif.)
25.	Colorado Mesa	1-0	45	NR	D. Western State (Colo.), 34-14	Sept. 10 vs. Chadron State (Neb.)

Dropped Out: Indianapolis (Ind.) (16), Minnesota-Duluth (19), Catawba (N.C.) (22), Emporia State (Kan.) (24)

Others Receiving Votes: Harding (Ark.), 38; Indianapolis (Ind.), 34; West Chester (Pa.), 34; Western Oregon, 30; Delta State (Miss.), 27; Minnesota-Duluth, 25; Emporia State (Kan.), 23; Southwest Minnesota State, 20; Catawba (N.C.), 19; Fort Hays State (Kan.), 13; McKendree (Ill.), 12; Texas A&M-Kingsville, 12; Hillsdale (Mich.), 11; Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), 9; Michigan Tech, 7; Miles (Ala.), 7; North Carolina-Pembroke, 7; Virginia State, 5; California (Pa.), 2; Arkansas Tech, 1; Bemidji State (Minn.), 1; Notre Dame (Ohio), 1.

FHSU Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The No. 15 ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team fell by a score of 2-1 at No. 3 ranked Rockhurst University on Monday (Sept. 5) in a rematch of last year’s NCAA National Quarterfinals. With the loss, FHSU dropped to 0-1-1 on the season while Rockhurst improved to 2-0.

Rockhurst got on the board early at the 7:22 mark when Michael Panarisi got a pass from Derek Schrick and buried it just inside the right post. Kaleb Jackson made it a 2-0 game right before halftime when he found the back of the net for the Hawks 43:42 into the game.

Luis Torres cut the Rockhurst lead in half in the 84th minute. After a Rockhurst foul, Maurizio Costa sent a free kick into the box that Torres was able to head past the keeper. The late surge was not enough as the Hawks were able to hold off the Tigers to claim the victory.

Michael Yantz took the loss in net for the Tigers saving six of the eight shots that he faced.

FHSU looks to bounce back on Thursday when they head to Laredo, Texas to take on Texas A&M-International. The match is set for 7:30 pm.

FHSU Sports Information

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the first time in program history the Fort Hays State women’s soccer team starts a season 3-0 after beating Minot State 2-1 in an overtime thriller on Monday.

Minot State took the lead in the first half on a penalty kick after a foul was called in the box. Minot State’s leading scorer Ninfa Ramirez took advantage for her third goal of the season at the 29:46 mark. It was the first goal the Tigers have allowed this season, a stretch that lasted a total of 209 minutes and 34 seconds.

The Tigers kept attacking throughout the second half and with 4:32 remaining Edan Stoddard was able to get her head on a corner kick from Hannah Jurgens that found the back of the net, tying the match at 1-1. It was Stoddard’s team-leading fourth goal of the season. Kelsey Steffens claimed the match for the Tigers when she got her first goal of the season by beating the keeper with a shot from the top of the box 8:55 into overtime.

Abbie Flax picked up the win in goal for FHSU despite not recording a save. She is now 3-0 on the season. The Tiger defense was stifling once again, allowing just five shots the entire match. The only shot on goal was the penalty kick. The Tigers outshot the Beavers 28-5.

The Tigers get five days off before their home opener on Sunday when they welcome Northwestern Oklahoma State to Hays. The match is set for 1 pm.

FHSU Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – 120 minutes was not enough time to determine a winner in the 2016 season opener for the 15th-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team on Saturday (Sept. 3) as they took Alderson Broaddus to a 1-1 draw. With the draw, the Tigers are now 4-1-1 all time in season openers. After losing to Rockhurst earlier in the week, Alderson Broaddus moves to 0-1-1 on the season.

The Battlers went up 1-0 early when they found the back of the net 15 minutes into the contest. Maurizio Costa leveled the score for the Tigers in the 37th minute by means of a header when he tucked a cross from Dylan Kintner just inside the post. Early in the second half the Tigers had a chance to take the lead on a shot from Mauricio Castorino, but the ball ricocheted off the post and away from the goal. Aside from that neither team was able to gain an advantage for the rest of regulation.

The two overtime periods saw a defensive battle, as there were only three combined shots in the extra twenty minutes. Michael Yantz was big in net for the Tigers with five saves, two coming in overtime.

The Tigers return to action Monday with a rematch of the 2015 NCAA Quarterfinal against the 3rd-ranked Rockhurst Hawks. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.