FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State had nine selections to the 2014 All-MIAA Men’s Soccer team, highlighted by MIAA Player of the Year Tanner Brock and MIAA Freshman of the Year Mauricio Castorino. Announced Thursday by the conference office, Brock is joined on the First Team by Kent Freund, Eric Hymer, Diego Cabral and Michael Cole, while Castorino was picked to the Second Team alongside Carlos Linares and Davud Lucio. Drew Wilson was named honorable mention.

The nine All-MIAA honorees marks an all-time high for the FHSU Soccer program, summing up a regular season that saw the Tigers go 11-4-3 overall and 8-2-2 in the MIAA, securing the second seed in the MIAA Tournament (which begins Thursday in Olathe, Kan.). All told, six of the nine Tigers honored are repeat winners, with four earning their third All-MIAA nod.

Brock led the Tigers in goals (six) this season, matching the performance with six assists as well. Tied for the team lead in points (18), the senior midfielder started 16 games (appearing in 17) for FHSU. From Winfield, Kan., Brock has added game-winning goals at West Texas A&M, Harding, and at home against Upper Iowa. He sits second in the MIAA in total points this season, as well as third in assists (right behind Cabral).

Career-wise, Brock has played more minutes than any other Tiger in program history (6,295), ranking second in career games (74) while tied for the all-time lead in career starts (72). Brock is a three-time First Team selection, earning the honors in 2012 and 2013 as well. He is the first Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer student-athlete to earn MIAA Player of the Year, the program now in its fourth year of existence and third year in the MIAA.

Freund has appeared in 16 games for FHSU this season, starting 15 while logging 1,453 minutes in the net. A senior goalkeeper, Freund has picked up 64 saves on the year while allowing just 15 goals. From Garland, Texas, Freund’s 0.93 goals against average ranks second in the conference. This is the second All-MIAA award of his career after being honorable mention in 2012.

Hymer, a defenseman, leads the team with 1,649 minutes played for the year, anchoring a back line for the Tigers that has allowed 17 goals on the season. A senior from Overland Park, Kan., he has started all 18 games for FHSU this season, posting complete game performances in 15 contests this year. Hymer repeats for the third consecutive year as an All-MIAA First Team selection, earning the award in 2012 and 2013 as well.

Cabral led the Tigers with 10 assists on the season, adding four goals for 18 points (tied for first on the team). A senior midfielder, Cabral holds the school record for career points (84) and assists (36), posting a .556 shots on goal percentage for the season (30 shots on goal with 54 total shots). He ranks second in the conference in assists this season and in the Top 10 nationally. This is the third career All-MIAA honor for Cabral, who was picked Second Team in 2012 and 2013.

Cole ranks second on the team with five goals this season, adding three assists for 13 points. The junior forward posted a .533 shots on goal percentage (16 of 30 shots) and had three game-winners for the 2014 campaign. Cole’s game winning goals came against Colorado State-Pueblo in the season opener, at home against Southwest Baptist and in a key conference matchup at Lindenwood, when he hit a golden goal in the first overtime (2-1 win). The Round Rock, Texas native has developed a knack for clutch moments, ranking second all-time in career game-winning goals (seven) at FHSU. Cole picked up honorable mention honors in 2013 and was a Second Team selection in 2012.

Castorino’s debut at FHSU has been impressive in 2014, as the freshman forward has two goals and five assists (nine points). Castorino appeared in 14 games during the regular season, starting three while logging 627 minutes on the field. The Asuncion, Paraguay native made the most of his opportunities, firing 20 total shots on the year and putting 13 on goal. This is the second consecutive year that FHSU has produced the MIAA Freshman of the Year, as goalkeeper Jason Babyak won the award last year.

Linares grabs All-MIAA honors for the second year in a row after an honorable mention nod last year. The senior defender ranks third on the team with 1,487 minutes played for the year, joining Hymer on the back line for the Tigers that has allowed only 17 goals on the season. The Aurora, Colo., native has started 17 of 18 games for FHSU this season, posting complete game performances in 12 contests this year.

Lucio picks up the first All-MIAA honor of his career. From Wichita, Kan., the junior midfielder has provided steady play in the midfield for the Tigers, posting three goals and three assists in the regular season for nine points. He has a pair of game-winning goals this year, one at home against Lindenwood and the other on the road at Southwest Baptist.

Wilson picked up honorable mention honors for the first time in his career, playing just under 1,500 minutes (1,490) in 16 starts (17 appearances) for the Tiger defense. From Overland Park, Kan., he is one of the key components to the backline, helping limit opponents to a 0.91 goals against average for the year. On the offensive side of the ball, the sophomore has made an impact as well, scoring twice with one assist (five points).

The Tigers open postseason play Thursday (Nov. 6) in Olathe, Kan. for the MIAA Tournament Semifinals as the No. 2 seed. FHSU will play third-seeded Lindenwood at 4 p.m. from the College Boulevard Activities Complex.

The complete 2014 All-MIAA Soccer Team is below…

2014 ALL-MIAA SOCCER TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Tanner Brock, MF, Fort Hays State 

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Mauricio Castorino, F, Fort Hays State

COACH OF THE YEAR
Rob Czlonka, Northeastern State

FIRST TEAM
GK: Kent Freund, Sr., Fort Hays State
D: Eric Hymer, Sr., Fort Hays State**
D: Adam Schmoker, Sr., Northeastern State
D: Terence Smith, Sr., Northeastern State
MF: Tanner Brock, Sr., Fort Hays State**
MF: Jordan Schmoker, Sr., Northeastern State
MF: Diego Cabral, Sr., Fort Hays State
MF: Ignacio Pizarro Romero, Sr., Lindenwood
MF: Leandro Pena, Jr., Upper Iowa
F: Juan Peralta, Sr., Northeastern State**
F: Michael Cole, Jr., Fort Hays State
F: Ryan Pinkerton, So., Upper Iowa
**Unanimous Selection

SECOND TEAM
GK: Jackson Biles, So., Northeastern State
D: Carlos Linares, Sr., Fort Hays State
D: Alejandro Cases Da Silva, Sr., Lindenwood
D: Crosby Lee, Jr., Northeastern State
MF: Edgar Pineda, Sr., Southern Nazarene
MF: David Lucio, Jr., Fort Hays State
MF: Hayden Rasmussen, Fr., Northeastern State
MF: Justin Schaeffer, Sr., Southwest Baptist
MF: Johnny McBeth, Fr., Upper Iowa
F: Andre Hayne, Jr., Lindenwood
F: Mauricio Castorino, Fr., Fort Hays State
F: Ricardo Palomino, Fr., Northeastern State
F: Blake Rodgers, Sr., Southern Nazarene

HONORABLE MENTION
Fort Hays State: Drew Wilson, D.
Harding: Phillip White, D; Cole Walker, F; Barry Foster, F.
Lindenwood: Jeremy Tutas, D.
Northeastern State: Chance Miller, D; Frank Garay, MF; Justin Todd, F.
Southern Nazarene: Matthew Lawrence, D; Javier Caballeros, F.
Upper Iowa: Connor Rortvedt, GK; Hugo Alves, D; Seb Smith, D; Rhys Williams, D; Fausto Ordenana, MF.

FHSU Sports Information

It took 108 minutes, but Fort Hays State advanced to the MIAA Tournament Semifinals on a game-winning goal by Kelsey Steffens in double overtime. The third-seeded Tigers defeated sixth-seeded Missouri Western, 1-0, in the first round on Wednesday evening in Hays, Kan.

FHSU (13-4-2) will now play No. 2 seed Southwest Baptist on Friday, Nov. 7 in Olathe, Kan. Game time for Friday is 7 p.m.

Fort Hays State stormed out of the gates, firing eight shots in the initial 15 minutes against a Missouri Western defense that has allowed just 16 goals in the regular season. The Griffons’ defense bent, but did not break against the Tigers’ 14 total shots in the opening frame. FHSU held MWSU to just one shot in the first 45 minutes, stifling the Griffons’ offense to keep the match scoreless at the break.

Out of the pause, the wind seemed to slow the Tigers offense slightly, as MWSU picked up the pace to match FHSU for much of the half, outshooting the home team 6-5 in the final period of regulation. MWSU got the wind for the first overtime and charged hard, firing four shots (two on goal), but couldn’t capitalize.

Closing down on the end of the second overtime, the teams appeared headed for a shootout before Makatura’s pass from near midfield found Steffens alone at the upper left corner of the box. Steffens took two dribbles and ripped a shot towards the near post, finding the net to clinch the win.

Mallory Diederich and Cenayda Guzman led the team with four shots apiece, followed by Steffens’ three shots. Hannah Smith, Diederich and Jamie Babyak played all 107 minutes for the Tigers defense.

In the net, Kristen Thompson had four saves in a complete game performance, pushing her shutout total to 11 for the year.

The Tigers are now 4-0 all-time in the MIAA Tournament, winning the championship in 2012.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State Women’s Soccer remained seventh for the third consecutive week in the NCAA Central Region Rankings, released Wednesday (Oct. 29). The top six teams in the region will advance to the NCAA Regionals, Nov. 14-16.

The Central Region is made up of teams from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and the Great American Conference (GAC). Automatic bids are granted to the winners of the MIAA and NSIC tournaments, with the remaining four spots awarded on an at-large basis.

The Top 7 remained relatively unchanged, despite a swap of the Nos. 4 and 5 spots between Winona State (now fifth) and Southwest Baptist (now fourth). FHSU and SBU are joined in the Top 10 by MIAA opponents Central Missouri (No. 2), Central Oklahoma (No. 6) and Missouri Western (No. 8). FHSU hosts MWSU in the first round of the MIAA Tournament on Wednesday at 6 p.m. FHSU drew with UCO earlier this season at FHSU Soccer Stadium, and stands even with the Bronchos in regional and overall records.

FHSU Women’s Soccer has made one NCAA Tournament appearance in school history (after winning the 2012 MIAA Tournament Championship), and will be looking to return for the second time in its brief program history. FHSU is 12-4-2 for the year, including a 10-2-2 record in MIAA competition. The Tigers closed the regular season on a hot streak, winning their final six matches and going unbeaten in their last eight, stringing together five shutouts during that span.

The complete NCAA Central Region Rankings for Nov. 5 are below…

Rank Team In-Region Record Overall Record
1 Minnesota State-Mankato 18-0-0 18-0-0
2 Central Missouri 17-0-1 17-0-1
3 Augustana (S.D.) 14-4-0 14-4-0
4 Southwest Baptist 14-4-0 14-4-0
5 Winona State 13-4-1 13-4-1
6 Central Oklahoma 12-4-2 12-4-2
7 Fort Hays State 12-4-2 12-4-2
8 Missouri Western State 9-8-1 9-8-1
9 Upper Iowa 10-6-1 10-6-1
10 Minot State 10-6-2 10-6-2

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State had eight selections to the 2014 All-MIAA Women’s Soccer teams, announced Wednesday, Nov. 5 by the conference office. Mallory Diederich and Hailey Davey led the way as First Team selections while Hannah SMith had a Second Team nod. Kristen Thompson, Jamie Babyak and Kelsey Steffens were Third Team picks as Gabrielle Makatura and Kylee Loneker grabbed honorable mention honors.

Eight All-MIAA selections is an all-time high for the FHSU Soccer Program, and this marks the first time the Tigers have had a First Team selection in school history. FHSU closed out the regular season at 12-4-2 (10-2-2 MIAA), its best regular season finish since the program’s inception.

Diederich has played every minute for the Tigers in 2014, totaling 1,690 minutes in 18 starts. A native of Topeka, Kan., scored three goals in the regular season with two assists. A junior center back for the Tigers defense, Diederich is tied for fourth on the team with eight points. This is the first career All-MIAA award for Diederich.

Davey has put together one of the most successful seasons in FHSU history in 2014, tying the school record for single-season assists (10) and game-winning goals (four) while breaking the record for assists in a single game, assisting in three goals on two separate occasions (at Sioux Falls, vs Northwest Missouri State). A senior outside forward, she leads the team with 20 points (tied second most all-time at FHSU) and has scored five goals this year. From Evergreen, Colo., Davey has started all 18 matches for the Tigers, earning her first career All-MIAA honor.

Smith, a defensive midfielder, is third on the team with 1,365 minutes played and has started all 18 games in the Tiger backfield. Smith is a key components in a Tiger defense that has allowed just 12 goals for the year, posting a school record 10 shutouts. Smith scored the game-winner at Emporia State earlier this season, and has one assist. A sophomore from Garland, Texas, this is the first All-MIAA award for Smith.

Thompson picked up her first career All-MIAA honor as a redshirt freshman, starting all 18 matches and playing every minute (1,690) between the pipes. Thompson set the school record for individual shutouts (10) and has 83 saves for the year. Her 0.64 goals against average currently ranks first among FHSU goalkeepers all-time. From Manhattan, Kan., she has posted a 12-4-2 record in net for the regular season.

Babyak sits as one of the top performers for the Tiger defense this season, helping anchor a back line that has shut out opponents a school record 10 times. Babyak, a senior center back, is part of a defense that has given up just 85 shots on goal this season, allowing 10.2 shots per game. She has started every game for the Tigers over the last four years and last earned All-MIAA honors in 2011 (Honorable Mention).

Steffens is the lone freshman representing the Tigers for All-MIAA selections after leading the team in goals (seven) for 2014. An outside forward, Steffens ranks second on the squad with 19 points and five assists. She hit game-winners twice this season for FHSU, against Northeastern State and Missouri Western. Steffens appeared in all 18 games for the Tigers this season, posting a team-leading .778 shots on goal percentage, putting 14 of her 18 shots for the season on goal.

Makatura logged over 1,000 minutes for the third consecutive year as a member of the FHSU defense, starting 15 of her 16 appearances. Makatura assisted in two goals on the year, and was part of a defense that allowed just six assists for the season. A junior outside back, this is her first career All-MIAA award.

Loneker played in all 18 games for FHSU this season, starting 17 as an attacking center mid. A junior, Loneker has two goals and four assists for the season, tied for second on the team in total points (eight). Loneker had 14 shots on goal for the year while playing over 1,200 minutes on the field, grabbing her first career All-MIAA honors.

The Tigers host a MIAA Tournament First Round contest this Wednesday (Nov. 5) at 6 p.m., hosting Missouri Western with hopes of advancing to Olathe, Kan. for the semifinal and final rounds of the tournament this weekend.

The complete 2014 All-MIAA Women’s Soccer Teams are below…

2014 ALL-MIAA SOCCER TEAM
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Karla Jamison, F, Southwest Baptist

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Emily Eldridge, D, Central Missouri

CO-GOALKEEPERS OF THE YEAR
Ana Dilkes, GK, Central Missouri
Yadira Rivera, GK, Emporia State

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Whitney Snow, MF, Southwest Baptist

COACH OF THE YEAR
Lewis Theobald, Central Missouri

FIRST TEAM
GK: Ana Dilkes, Fr., Central Missouri^
GK: Yadira Rivera, So., Emporia State^
D: Emily Eldridge, So., Central Missouri**#
D: Quinn Tookey, Jr., Central Oklahoma#
D: Abby Rhodes, So., Central Missouri#
D: Mallory Diederich, Jr., Fort Hays State#
MF: Taylor Thompson, Fr., Central Missouri
MF: Kate Jamison, Jr., Southwest Baptist
MF: Nicole Pond, Jr., Central Missouri
F: Karla Jamison, Jr., Southwest Baptist**
F: Julie Ireland, Jr., Central Missouri**
F: Hailey Davey, Sr., Fort Hays State
**Unanimous Selection

SECOND TEAM
GK: Sarah Lyle, So., Missouri Western
D: Ronise Miller, Fr., Missouri Southern
D: Taylor Gant, So., Missouri Western
D: Amy Bolton, So., Southwest Baptist
MF: Whitney Snow, Fr., Southwest Baptist
MF: Kate Foran, Sr., Central Oklahoma
MF: Hannah Smith, So., Fort Hays State
MF: Alex Yockey, Fr., Central Missouri
MF: Ali Skogrand, Sr., Southwest Baptist
F: Hannah Pyle, So, Central Missouri
F: Lexi Carroll, Fr., Central Oklahoma
F: Montanna Hosterman, Jr., Nebraska-Kearney
F: Tara Russell, Sr., Missouri Western
F: Elin Hammar, So., Southwest Baptist
Results reflect tie in voting

THIRD TEAM
GK: Kristen Thompson, Fr., Fort Hays State
GK: Cheyenne Forshey, Jr. Southwest Baptist
D: Baylie Edwards, Fr., Central Missouri
D: Jamie Babyak, Sr., Fort Hays State
D: Sydney Andrews, Jr., Missouri Western
D: Emily Burch, Jr., Northeastern State
MF: Emily Precure, Jr., Central Oklahoma
MF: Molly White, So., Lindenwood
MF: McKenzie Musella, Jr., Northeastern
F: Kelsey Steffens, Fr., Fort Hays State
F: Grace Linton, Fr., Emporia State
F: Taylor Schmidt, Jr., Southwest Baptist

HONORABLE MENTION
Central Missouri: Mikala Modiri, MF; Megan Woolley, MF.
Central Oklahoma: Kenzie Sublett, D; Kenna Dyess, MF.
Emporia State: Shannon Thomas, D; Amelie Heun, MF.
Fort Hays State: Gabrielle Makatura, D; Kylee Loneker, MF.
Lindenwood: Miranda Huebner, D; Jackie Lindner, D; Kristin Brewer, MF; Becky Roberts, F.
Missouri Southern: Carly Cecil, D; Karly Thomas, F.
Missouri Western: Paige Phipps, D; K.C. Ramsell, MF.
Nebraska-Kearney: Kadie Walaszczyk, D; Kristyn Otter, D; Lauren Hoeft, D.
Northeastern State: Jordan Woodruff, GK; Rachel Gleason, D; Melissa Giles, F.
Northwest Missouri: Ashley Malloy, GK; Katelyn Lindsey, D; Elizabeth Lee, MF.
Washburn: Hailey Ruder, D; Cadence Bourne, MF.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer fell out of the NSCAA Top 25 but is still receiving votes in the most recent edition of the poll, released Tuesday (Nov. 4) by the organization.

FHSU closed out the regular season last week, going 0-1-1 to finished the year at 11-4-3 overall and 8-2-2 in conference play. The Tigers are joined in the poll by MIAA opponent Northeastern State, which remained 14th in the national rankings.

The Tigers begin postseason competition this weekend at the MIAA Championships in Olathe, Kan., as the second seed. FHSU takes on third-seeded Lindenwood on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m.in the MIAA semifinals, with the winner advancing to Saturday’sfinal against either top-seeded NSU or fourth-seeded Upper Iowa. FHSU is currently second in the NCAA Central Region rankings.

The complete NSCAA Rankings for Nov. 4 are below…

1.	University Of Charleston	1	15-0-1
2.	Young Harris College	3	14-0-1
3.	Quincy University	6	17-0-2
4.	Lynn University	4	12-1-1
5.	Seattle Pacific University	2	15-1-1
6.	Southern New Hampshire University	5	14-1-1
7.	Mercyhurst University	8	16-2-0
8.	Cal Poly Pomona	10	16-1-1
9.	Colorado Mesa University	11	15-2-1
10.	Limestone College	9	13-1-1
11.	St. Edward’s University	13	13-2-1
12.	Tiffin University	12	12-3-1
13.	Christian Brothers University	16	13-2-0
14.	Northeastern State University	14	14-3-1
15.	Southern Connecticut State University	7	13-3-0
16.	California State University-Los Angeles	15	13-3-0
17.	Drury University	24	15-3-0
18.	Midwestern State University	23	12-3-2
19.	Saint Leo University	19	10-2-3
20.	Wingate University	RV	11-3-1
21.	Notre Dame College	17	10-4-2
22.	LIU Post	NR	13-3-1
23.	Azusa Pacific University	RV	13-2-0
24.	Merrimack College	25	12-3-2
25.	Regis University	NR	13-5-0

Also receiving votes: Fort Hays State University (13),Bloomsburg University (8), Francis Marion University (8), Northwood University (Mich.) (5), Barton College (4), Seton Hill University (2)

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State women’s soccer posted its best regular season record in program history with a 3-1 win over Washburn on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 2) at FHSU Soccer Stadium in Hays. The Tigers ran their win streak to six matches and pushed their overall record to 12-4-2. FHSU finished third in the MIAA standings with a mark of 10-2-2.

The Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a winless Ichabod squad early. Just over 18 minutes into the match, Hailey Davey found Kylee Loneker just in front of the net on a crossing pass from the right side. Loneker buried the ball past the goalkeeper to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Nearly 10 minutes later, Loneker returned the favor along with Cenayda Guzman as their consecutive passes found Davey just in front of the net. Davey beat the keeper to make it 2-0.

Washburn cut the lead in half on a goal by Hadyn Hutchinson in the 40th minute, giving the Tigers just a one-goal cushion at halftime.

Moving downwind in the second half, the Tigers extended the lead back to two on a Kelsey Steffens goal at 50:29. Loneker recorded her second assist of the match as she had the ball on the left side of the box and found a charging Steffens at the top of the box who blasted a shot to the low right corner of the goal.

That would be all the goal scoring as the Tigers limited the Ichabods to just one shot in the second half. After the teams were tied 7-7 in shots at halftime, FHSU was able to get off 18 shots downwind in the second half, outshooting Washburn overall 25-8. Goalkeeper Kristen Thompson recorded two saves in the match and saw her record improve to 12-4-2 on the season.

The Tigers secured the No. 3 seed in the MIAA Tournament with the win. FHSU will host No. 6 seed Missouri Western on Wednesday night (Nov. 5) at 6 pm in Hays. The winner will move on to Olathe, Kan., for the semifinals on Friday and then potentially the finals on Sunday. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 7 in the latest NCAA Central Region rankings and six teams are selected from the region to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Volleyball’s Senior Day was spoiled by No. 21 Central Missouri on Sunday (Nov. 2), as the Tigers dropped a 3-1 (25-12, 19-25, 25-17, 25-17) contest to the Jennies.

FHSU is now 13-14 overall on the year, dropping to 7-11 in conference play.

The Tigers were never close in the first set, falling behind 13-1 early, hurt by a -.077 hitting percentage.  UCM grabbed a lead in the match with a 25-12 set win.

After a tough first set, the second set was a different story for FHSU, who opened play with its burst, taking a 5-0 lead with kills from Mallory Flagor and Sara Hewson. After stretching the lead to eight (13-5), FHSU was forced to battle with UCM throughout after the Jennies cut it to three (14-1), though they never relinquished the lead.  Up 18-13, the Tigers allowed one last push by UCM (a 3-0 run) before recovering and taking the set, 25-19.

The third and fourth sets were similar for both teams, as the squads battled for the early portions before late runs by the Jennies put the match away.  In the third set, trailing by two (10-8), FHSU gave up a 4-1 run by UCM that provided separation en route to a 25-17 set win.  The fourth set saw FHSU trailing, 7-9, before a 9-4 run for UCM (with a burst of three unanswered) put the set out of reach as UCM won, 25-17.

Hewson paced the Tigers’ offense, leading the team with 16 kills and posting a double-digit kills performance for the second consecutive evening.  Hewson’s kill count was her highest since Sept. 8, 2012.

Katilin Bradley was second on the team with eight kills, adding 14 digs (also second-highest for FHSU). Keanu Bradley’s35 digs was a career-high, and also marked the second straight 30-plus dig game for the libero.

At the net, Callie Christensen and Rebekah Spainhour each had five blocks.

FHSU closes the 2014 campaign with four road games, beginning Nov. 7 at Missouri Western.

FHSU Athletics

In its lone exhibition before tipping off the 2014-15 regular season campaign, Fort Hays State fell, 73-52, to Kansas on Sunday afternoon in Lawrence, Kan.

The Tigers hung close with KU for a majority of the first half, trailing by five (26-21) with 7:38 to play.  From there, however, the Jayhawks closed the half on a 17-1 run that put the game out of reach.  FHSU did match KU in scoring for the second half, with each team tallying 30 points.

Coach Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

FHSU hit just 26.8 percent of its field goals on the afternoon, but showed bright spots as Kate Lehman, Jill Faxon and Chelsea Mason all hit double-digits in scoring.

Lehman’s 17 points paced the Tigers, as Faxon had 12 points and Mason added 10 points.  Lehman was 6-of-11 from the field on the night and hit 5-of-10 free throw opportunities, pulling down six rebounds.  Faxon and Mason led the team in field goal attempts, with 19 and 17, respectively.

Game Highlights

 

 

The team leader on the boards was Paige Lunsford, who grabbed seven total rebounds, four of them coming on the offensive glass. Lunsford’s 30 minutes played led the team as well.

Keriann Shaw provided a spark defensively, leading the team with five steals, while Beth Bohuslavsky added seven assists and seven points in the contest.

Kansas, which reach the second round of the Big 12 Tournament last season, was Chelsea Gardner’s double-double (23 points, 10 rebounds).  Natalie Knight added 11 points as the second-leading scorer.

Fort Hays State heads to St. Paul, Minn., in two weeks for its regular season opener on Nov. 14.  The Tigers will play a two-day event at Concordia-St. Paul on Nov.  14-15, taking on Bemidji State and the Golden Bears.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State saw its 11-match unbeaten streak snapped on Sunday (Nov. 2) as a corner kick deflected off of a Tiger into their own net late, lifting West Texas A&M by a score of 1-0. The 22nd-ranked Tigers completed their regular season with a record of 11-4-3, but the result spoiled Senior Day at a windswept FHSU Soccer Stadium.

Conditions were extremely windy with strong gusts out of the south. The Tigers had the wind with them in the first half and had several good scoring opportunities, but could not find the net. FHSU did a good job of controlling possessions in the second half into the wind, but found itself on the wrong end of an unfortunate break late in the match.

With 5:04 to play in regulation, West Texas A&M’s Vitor Cardoso rifled a corner kick into traffic in front of Fort Hays State’s goal, which deflected off of a Tiger defender and into the goal. It was the fourth-straight match in which FHSU allowed a goal inside of the final seven minutes of regulation. The Tigers have gone 1-1-2 in that stretch, as two of those helped the opponent gain a draw.

Fort Hays State was handed its first loss since September 20, when it lost 2-0 at Southern Nazarene, snapping an 11-match run that saw the Tigers go 9-0-2. West Texas A&M moved to 9-6-1 with the win.

Fort Hays State now turns its focus to the postseason, as it will be the No. 2 seed in the MIAA Tournament in Olathe, Kan. The Tigers take on No. 3 seed Lindenwood Thursday (Nov. 6) at 4 pm in a semifinal match. The other semifinal pits No. 1 seed Northeastern State against No. 4 seed Upper Iowa. FHSU made the championship match of the tournament last year, but lost on penalty kicks to Lindenwood.

The Tigers are currently ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Central Region rankings and are looking for their third-straight berth into the NCAA Tournament. The top two teams from the region will be selected to the tournament. Northeastern State is currently the No. 1 team in the region.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State needed five game, but picked up a 3-2 (25-18, 25-21, 23-25, 22-25, 15-8) win over Lindenwood on Saturday (Nov. 1) evening.

The win moved FHSU (13-13, 7-10 MIAA) back to .500 overall, and tied the Tigers’ previous school record for conference wins as members of the MIAA.  FHSU had seven conference wins in 2012 (the previous record).  Additionally, the victory was the first over Lindenwood for head coach Kurt Kohler.

FHSU controlled the first two sets, cruising to a 2-0 lead before dropping the next two sets.

In the first, tied 6-6, FHSU rolled to three quick points (9-6), pulling away for good.  Soon after, FHSU stretched the lead to five (19-14).  The Lions shrunk the lead back to three (20-17), but FHSU hung on, ending the set, 25-18, on a service ace from Teresa Wade.

The Tigers took a 5-2 lead in the second set and never looked back, though LWU stayed close.  Throughout the set, FHSU put together one 4-0 run, one 3-0 run and four stretches of two quick unanswered points to remain in control.  Leading 20-17, a kill from Mallory Flagor started FHSU’s final run of the second set (3-0) that moved them to within two of set point, 23-17.  Though LWU climbed back to three (24-21), an attack error gave FHSU the set, 25-21.

Out of the intermission, the Tigers grabbed a 3-0 lead, stretching it to seven (9-2) soon after.  LWU, however, recovered to tie it, 13-all.  The teams traded points until 21-21 before two points for LWU gave the visitors breathing room.  FHSU dropped the set, 25-23.

The teams were again even throughout the fourth set, but a late run for LWU tied the match, 2-2, after a 25-22 set win for Lindenwood.

In the final set, FHSU used two kills from Callie Christensen and a Reagan Vanderplas service ace to take a 3-0 lead.  Despite the Lions tying it, 3-3, a 3-0 run for the Tigers put them back on top for good.  After the switch, the Tigers went on a 5-0 run (13-0) to put LWU away for good.  A kill from Mares closed the match, 15-8.

Five Tigers hit double-digits in kills, led by Mares’ 15.  Flagor and Rebekah Spainhour each had 12 kills, while Christensen had 11. Sara Hewson picked up a double-double on the night with 10 kills and 12 digs.

Keanu Bradley paced the squad with 32 digs, while Wade added 13 and Vanderplas had 12 assists to go along with a team-high 34 assists. Kristen Conor was second on the team with 27 assists.

Senior Day for the Tigers is Sunday (Nov. 2) versus No. 21 Central Missouri.  Seniors Kesley Broadwell, Sara Hewson, Taylor Mares and Student Assistant Coach Kelsey Darnell will be recognized postgame.