FHSU Athletics

SALINA, Kan. – Fort Hays State finished fifth at the Kansas Wesleyan Invitational, held in Salina, Kan. (Sept. 28-29). The Tigers were just two strokes back in a tight race for second place in a tournament held at the Salina Municipal Golf Course, a par-70 layout.

Fort Hays State was consistent as a team, shooting 294 on the second day after a 293 on the first day. Both rounds are the lowest the Tigers have shot this season. FHSU finished with 587. Bethany College rallied with a 289 on day two to take second at 585. Kansas Wesleyan and Sterling tied for fourth at 586.

Barton (Kan.) Community College ran away with the tournament, shooting 9-under as a team (total of 551). Tournament medalist Natchapol Srindon from Barton Community College shot 9-under individually, while his teammate Seokhun Kang took second at 7-under par. Barton had three players finish under par for the tournament.

The Tigers were led by Landon Fox and Lane Pauls. Fox shot an even par 70 on Tuesday to back up his first round 71, while Pauls shot rounds of 2-under 68 and 3-over 73. Each tied for sixth place.

Koby Beougher tied for 27th with rounds of 78 and 75, while Cash Hobson and Kade Megaffin tied for 29th. Hobson shot rounds of 78 and 76. Megaffin shot rounds of 76 and 78.

FHSU plays its final tournament of the fall in two weeks in St. Joseph, Mo.

FHSU Athletics

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State finished 10^th at the MIAA Fall Preview, held in Jefferson City, Mo. (Sept. 28-29). The Tigers finished eighth out of the 10 MIAA teams competing at the Jefferson City Country Club.

Hannah Perkins led the Tigers by tying for 17th individually. She shot rounds of 81 and 77. Perkins was the only Tiger to card a round in the 70s for the tournament.

Kiley McCarthy finished 50th with rounds of 92 and 87. Kelsey McCarthy tied for 52nd with rounds of 90 and 94. Quillen Eichhorn backed up a 91 with a 93 to also tie for 52nd. Hadley Tharp was 60th with rounds of 89 and 102.

As a team, FHSU shot 702, staying consistent with team scores of 351 each day. Northeastern State edged Central Oklahoma by three strokes for the team title with a total of 612.

The Tigers wrap up the fall next week at the RCB UCO Classic in Edmond, Okla.

FHSU Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State is ranked No. 22 in the latest edition of the NSCAA Division II Poll, released on Tuesday (Sept. 29). The Tigers fell 11 spots from their previous ranking, but remained in the Top 25 along with one other MIAA school.

The Tigers dropped 11 spots after a home loss to Texas A&M-International this past Sunday. Prior to that, the Tigers won two consecutive games in double overtime, knocking off West Texas A&M and Newman last week. Fort Hays State sits at 6-2 overall on the season and enters MIAA play this week at home.

Upper Iowa took a big leap in the rankings, going from receiving votes to No. 12 this week. The Peacocks are off to a 2-0 start in the MIAA and sit 7-0-1 overall. Northeastern State was also referenced in the poll as a team receiving votes.

Fort Hays State takes on Southwest Baptist (Friday) and Northeastern State (Sunday) this week at FHSU Soccer Stadium in Hays. The Tigers have been in the Top 25 for all five polls released this season (preseason included).

Below are the rankings for September 29, 2015.

Also receiving votes: Christian Brothers University (13), Fort Lewis College (9), Lincoln Memorial University (8), Fresno Pacific University (8), Bloomsburg University (2), Northeastern State University (1), Cal Poly Pomona (1).

FHSU Athletics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State’s Mauricio Castorino was named the MIAA Men’s Soccer Athlete of the Week on Tuesday (Sept. 29). Castorino was instrumental in a pair of double overtime wins last week for the 11th-ranked Tigers.

Castorino had two goals and two assists for a total of six points over a span of three matches that saw the Tigers go 2-1. He had two game-tying goals for the week, both in matches that FHSU won in double overtime. Both of his assists came on game-winning goals. He found Luan Silva with a bullet pass off a free kick into the box with only six seconds remaining in double overtime against West Texas A&M to lift FHSU 3-2. Then, at Newman, he found Anthony Hernandez a minute and a half into the second overtime period to lift FHSU 2-1. Castorino leads the MIAA in points with 16 for the season.

FHSU Athletics

WACO, Texas – Fort Hays State football continues to receive votes in the latest edition of the AFCA Division II Poll, released on Monday (Sept. 28). Despite a 31-24 loss to No. 15 Pittsburg State last week, the Tigers remain among teams receiving votes for the fourth consecutive week. FHSU has a record of 3-1 through four weeks of play.

The Tigers get another stiff test this week for Homecoming as rival Washburn comes to town. Both FHSU and Washburn are receiving votes in the poll and both enter Saturday’s game at 3-1. Washburn had a seven-point win over Pittsburg State in week three and avoided an upset bid from Missouri Southern last week with a six-point win. Washburn is on a three-game win streak after losing its season opener to Lindenwood.

Fort Hays State is among five MIAA schools either in the top 25 or receiving votes. All four Kansas schools in the MIAA are among those five. Pittsburg State (3-1) remained No. 15 this week, while Emporia State (4-0) jumped into the Top 25 for the first time this season at No. 23. Washburn (9 votes) and Fort Hays State (6 votes) are the two Kansas schools receiving votes. Northwest Missouri State (4-0) held steady at No. 3. Northwest Missouri State and Emporia State are the only two schools that remain unbeaten in the MIAA after Week 4. FHSU, Washburn, Pittsburg State, and Missouri Western are all at 3-1.

Below is the AFCA Division II Poll for September 28, 2015.

Others Receiving Votes: Grand Valley St. (Mich.), 29; Arkansas Tech, 28; Azusa Pacific (Calif.), 26; Wingate (N.C.), 23; Slippery Rock (Pa.), 19; Stonehill (Mass.), 11; Washburn (Kan.), 9; West Texas A&M, 7; Colorado Mesa, 6; Fort Hays St. (Kan.), 6; Henderson St. (Ark.), 5; East Central (Okla.), 4; Virginia Union, 4; Newberry (S.C.), 2; Bloomsburg (Pa.), 1; Indianapolis (Ind.), 1.

HAYS, Kan. – After a tough 2-1 loss in the MIAA opener against Southwest Baptist on Friday, Fort Hays State bounced back for a 2-0 win over Missouri Southern on Sunday in Hays. The Tigers moved to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA with the win.

The Tigers controlled the match throughout, taking 26 shots to just five for Missouri Southern. The Lions were only able to only get one shot off in the first half. Fort Hays State placed 13 shots on goal in the match and MSSU goalkeeper Shawnee Phillips made 11 saves.

Jordan Hester put the Tigers up 1-0 in the 20th minute on a through pass from Jessica Babyak. Shortly after halftime, Kylee Loneker beat the keeper one-on-one from about 10 yards out to make It 2-0.

Abbie Flax picked up her first win of the season at goalkeeper, now 1-1. She recorded two saves in the match.

The Tigers remain home next week for another pair of MIAA matches. FHSU hosts Lindenwood and Central Missouri over Homecoming weekend in Hays.

FHSU Athletics

HAYS, Kan. – Coming off two thrilling double overtime victories earlier in the week, Fort Hays State looked like it had nothing left in the tank against Texas A&M-International on Sunday at FHSU Soccer Stadium. The Dustdevils stunned the 11th-ranked Tigers by a score of 3-0.

Fort Hays State’s ball control and defense lacked early in the game. TAMIU (2-5 overall) took advantage scoring goals in the 5th and 9th minutes of the game to build an early 2-0 advantage with the wind.

The Tigers (6-2 overall) had the wind in the second half, but TAMIU limited opportunities and then put the match away with a counter attack goal in the 77th minute.

The Tigers were shutout for the first time this season and first time in 10 matches dating back to last season. Michael Yantz took the loss in goal and now sits at 6-2 on the season. TAMIU keeper Miguel Lucio picked up his first win of the season between the pipes.

The shot count was dead even at 13-13. TAMIU fired 11 shots with the wind in the first half, while FHSU fired 10 in the second half.

The Tigers remain at home next week for their first two MIAA matches of the season against Southwest Baptist and Northeastern State.

FHSU Athletics

TOPEKA, Kan. – Fort Hays State Volleyball came up with a monumental win on Saturday night (Sept. 26) in Topeka by defeating No. 7 ranked Washburn in straight sets. With scores of 27-25, 28-26, and 27-25, the Tigers ended a frustrating 19-match losing streak to the Ichabods that dated back to 2006. With the win, the Tigers moved to 9-6 overall and 1-2 in the MIAA, while handing Washburn (13-1, 2-1 MIAA) its first loss of the season.

The Tigers dropped their last 24 contests against ranked opponents before Saturday night in Topeka. The last win over a ranked opponent occurred in 2011 with a 3-2 win over then No. 24 Truman in Hays. It marked Fort Hays State’s first win over Washburn since 2004, when both teams were ranked in a 3-0 win by FHSU in Hays. FHSU was No. 13 at the time, while Washburn was No. 15.

The Tigers needed extra points in each set to pull off the upset. FHSU led 11-6 in the opening set, but saw the lead evaporate on a 5-0 Washburn run. Washburn eventually took a four-point lead before the Tigers stormed back late in the set to tie it 22-22. The teams battled back and forth to a 25-25 deadlock before Megan Anderson and Sydney Dixon closed out the first set with kills.

The Tigers had no letdown early in the second set, building a 10-4 lead. But just like the first set, Washburn went on a big run to tie it at 10-10. FHSU fought off the flurry and moved back in front 15-11 and eventually led by five at 20-15. Washburn made another charge and tied the set 23-23. FHSU had three set points before finally converting on the fourth for a 28-26 win. Rebekah Spainhour had a kill to set up the final set point before Washburn committed a hitting error to make it 2-0 in FHSU’s favor.

In the third set, FHSU built an early four point lead, but Washburn closed and made the set competitive throughout. FHSU fought off a Washburn set point at 24-23 as Washburn committed a hitting error. At 25-25, Spainhour stepped up again for a kill to set up match point. Azlyn Cassaday converted with a service ace out of the Washburn timeout, lifting FHSU 27-25.

FHSU outhit Washburn in the match .205 to .140. FHSU held Washburn under a .200 hitting percentage in all three sets. The Tigers had 11 team blocks throughout the match. Crystal Whitten led the Tigers with 12 kills, while Spainhour added 11. Whitten had a big double-double, adding a team-best 26 digs. Hannah Wagy had 41 assists. Kailey Klibbe recorded 23 digs, while Mallory Flagor added 18 with her eight kills in the match. Dixon and Anderson balanced the offense nicely by combining for 15 kills.

Washburn committed 28 hitting errors in the match. Leanna Willer led WU with 17 kills, while Sarah Vicory added 10. Liz Powell had 43 assists and Alyssa Carney had a team-high 20 digs.

The Tigers hit the road for more conference play next weekend at Central Missouri and Lindenwood.

FHSU Athletics

WICHITA, Kan. – The 11th-ranked Fort Hays state men’s soccer team has a flare for dramatic finishes lately as they won their second straight double overtime thriller. Newman University fell victim on Friday night by a count of 2-1 as Anthony Hernandez provided the game winner a minute and a half into the second overtime.

Newman took control early when Pedro Augusto beat FHSU keeper Michael Yantz in the 23rd minute for his second goal of the season, putting the Jets up 1-0.

However, less than five minutes later MIAA leading scorer Mauricio Castorino netted his sixth goal of the season in the 28^th minute on a free kick after a Newman foul just outside the 18 yard box.

The score remained locked at 1-1 for the next 73 minutes before Anthony Hernandez took a ball from Castorino and netted it for his fourth goal of the season at 101:30 to push the Tigers’ record to 6-1 overall.

FHSU heads back home on Sunday to take on Texas A&M-International looking for its seventh win of the season before entering MIAA play.

FHSU Athletics

EMPORIA, Kan. – Fort Hays State fell in straight sets to Emporia State in conference play on Friday night. The Tigers committed 23 attacking errors in the match as they fell to 8-6 overall and 0-2 in the MIAA. ESU improved to 6-5 overall and 1-1 in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State started the match well, notching five kills without an error to build a 10-4 lead in the first set. With FHSU leading 11-5, a rash of errors, both attacking and handling, shifted the momentum into ESU’s favor. Four attacking errors and a couple of bad sets quickly brought the Hornets even with the Tigers at 13-13. Moments later, four more Tiger attacking errors were part of a 6-0 Emporia State run to seize control of the set at 20-15. FHSU pulled back within four, but two more attacking errors by the Tigers ended the set at 25-18 in Emporia State’s favor. FHSU had nine kills, but 11 errors, finishing with a -.059 hitting percentage for the opening set.

The offense struggled once again in the second set with 11 kills and eight errors for a .064 hitting percentage. The Tigers led 19-16, but hitting errors again led to another set slipping through the Tigers fingers. Three attacking errors, coupled with two Hornet kills quickly pushed ESU into the lead at 21-19. Down 22-20, FHSU had two attacking errors and then a bad set to hand ESU a 25-20 win.

FHSU turned in a better performance in the third with 13 kills and just four errors to hit .273, but ESU countered with their best set of the night at .297 with 17 kills. FHSU held multiple leads of three in the set, but 19-16 was the score once again where the Hornets went on a run, this time a 6-1 burst to take a 22-20 lead. The Tigers could not catch the Hornets from that point, falling 25-22.

Emporia State finished with a .216 hitting percentage in the match, while FHSU finished at .088. Emporia State also notched 11 team blocks on the night to Fort Hays State’s four.

Mallory Flagor led the Tigers in kills with 10, while adding 10 digs for a double-double. Hannah Wagy produced 27 assists and Crystal Whitten had a team-high 15 digs.

Shayla Cotman led the Hornet attack with nine kills. Setter Kimberly Bell had a double-double with 17 assists and 12 digs. Kelly Holden led ESU in digs with 13.

The Tigers head to Topeka for a match with No. 7 ranked Washburn on Saturday evening at 6 pm.