By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

The Fort Hays State Tigers score 24 unanswered points in the second half after trailing 10-0 at halftime and beat Nebraska-Kearney 24-17 Saturday afternoon at Cope Stadium in Kearney. After managing just two first downs and 52 yards of offense, the Tigers explode for eight first downs and 261 yards in the second half.

Coach Chris Brown Postgame Interview

 

Alex Schmidtberger / Kenneth Iheme Postgame Interview

 

The Tigers score their first points on a safety early in the third quarter when a snap went over the head of Lopers punter Davis Brendel who knocked the ball out of the endzone. FHSU then scored on a six yard touchdown run by quarterback Treveon Albert to pull within 10-9 with 11:38 to play in the third quarter.

Game Highlights

 

Ed Williams would give the Tigers the lead for good on their first possession of the fourth with a 61 yard touchdown pass to go up 17-10. Kenneth Iheme used a 44 yard run to set up a four yard TD run to build the lead to 24-10 with 4:08 to play.

The Lopers answered with a 13-play touchdown drive to cut the gap to seven with 1:15 to play, but Garrison Hendricks recovered an on-side kick to end the comeback bid.

After allowing 237 yards in the first half, the Tigers held UNK to just 86 in the second half.

Kenneth Iheme led FHSU with a career-high 149 rushing yards. Quarterback Treveon Albert added 61 with both scoring a touchdown. Albert completed 3 of 8 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Kearney’s Bronson Marsh rushed for 61 yards while completing 13 of 25 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 64 yards and a touchdown

With the win FHSU improves to 4-5, their most conference wins since joining the MIAA in 2006. UNK falls to 2-7.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State pushed its win streak to five matches on Thursday evening (Oct. 30) in Kearney, Neb., with a 4-1 comeback win. The Tigers moved to 11-4-2 overall and 9-2-2 in the MIAA with the win, while the Lopers fell to 4-11-2 and 4-8-1 in the MIAA.

Nebraska-Kearney took the early lead in the match with a goal at 7:51 by Meaghan Pasbrig, but the Tigers found the equalizer just before the half at 42:31 as Mallory Diedrich bent a corner kick all the way into the goal.

Diederich, one of Fort Hays State’s defenders, was not done with her scoring act as she put the Tigers in front at 61:03 on an 18-yard kick from the right side of the box. That would be the start of a three-goal half for the Tigers as they ran away to earn a regular season sweep over the Lopers.

At 81:59, Hailey Davey added a goal from about 20 yards out on a breakaway after an assist from Hannah Smith. Fiorella Fustagno put an exclamation point on the win with a goal at 88:22 on a kick from the right side of the box from about 12 yards out. Jasmine Beaulieu notched an assist on the goal.

The Tigers doubled up the Lopers in shots in the match, 14-7. Goalkeeper Kristen Thompson moved to 11-4-2 on the season, making three saves.

Fort Hays State wraps up the regular season at home on Sunday (Nov. 2) when it hosts Washburn at FHSU Soccer Stadium. Match time is set for 3:30 pm and the five seniors on the squad will be recognized prior to the match.

The Tigers have locked up hosting a first-round conference tournament match, which will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 6 pm. Opponent is still to be determined following the final weekend of conference play.

FHSU Athletics

No. 22 Fort Hays State played to its second consecutive draw on Thursday (Oct. 30), tying Upper Iowa, 1-1, in Fayette, Iowa.

The Tigers (11-3-3, 8-2-2 MIAA) extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games with the draw, which closed out the conference portion of its schedule.

After over 75 minutes of scoreless play, Fort Hays State grabbed a lead in the 79th minute when Brian Ness netted his third goal of the season. Austin Clifton assisted the play, firing a shot of his own that rebounded off the crossbar into Ness’ possession, who scored the game’s first goal.

As regulation wore down, Upper Iowa tied the match at 87:59 – sending the teams to overtime after Johnny McBeth’s seventh goal of the year.

Tanner Brock and Clifton led the team with three shots on the afternoon, each putting one on goal, while Joe Albright and Addison Pauler had two shots apiece.

Goalkeeper Kent Frenud picked up seven saves on the afternoon, allowing one goal in 110 minutes played.

The Tigers have locked up a berth to the MIAA postseason, beginning Nov. 6 in Olathe, Kan., and were the No. 2 team in the most recent NCAA Central Region rankings, released Wednesday.

FHSU returns to Hays on Sunday (Nov. 2) for Senior Day, taking on West Texas A&M at 1 p.m.

FHSU Athletics

After a fourth place finish in last year’s MIAA Championships and NCAA Central Super Regional, the Fort Hays State University wrestling team was picked to finish tied for third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll entering the 2014-15 season.

The Tigers trail only Nebraska-Kearney, which finished second at the NCAA Championships last season, and Lindenwood, second at last year’s MIAA Championships.  UNK received all five first-place votes and 25 total points, while LWU had 20 points.

FHSU’s 15 points was tied with Central Oklahoma, pairing the two teams in the third spot for the poll.  The Tigers went 9-5-1 last season in duals last season, finishing 3-3 overall in conference matchups.  Five wrestlers (Jon Inman, Tanner Kriss, Mitchell Means, C.J. Napier and Josh Rodriguez) competed at the NCAA Championships last season, with Napier and Kriss earning All-American nods after fourth and sixth-place finishes at their respective weight classes.  Inman (184 pounds), a sophomore this season, and Rodriguez (174 pounds), a senior, return for FHSU this season and were ranked sixth in the first set of individual rankings for NCAA Division II, released earlier this week.

Other key returners for Fort Hays State are seniors Bryce Lewis (165 pounds) and Trey Page (285 pounds) and juniors Noah Killip (141 pounds), Bradley Little (165 pounds), Adam Ludwin (125 pounds) and Symon Seaton (133 pounds).  Page and Ludwin were both one match away from reaching the NCAA Championships last season.

Rounding out the final two spots in the poll is Central Missouri (10 points) and Newman (five points).

The Tigers open the 2014-15 season with the Black and Gold Scrimmage on Tuesday, Nov. 4. FHSU’s regular season opener is Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Bethany Swede Open in Lindsborg, Kan.

The complete MIAA preseason poll is below…

Rank	Team (First-Place Votes)	Points
1	Nebraska-Kearney (5)	25
2	Lindenwood	20
T3	Fort Hays State	15
T3	Central Oklahoma	15
5	Central Missouri	10
6	Newman	5

 

Fort Hays State Weekly Football Press Conference
October 28, 2014

Head Coach Chris Brown

 

 

Linebacker Brock Long

 

Offensive Lineman Luke Edney

 

Defensive Lineman Jesse Trent

 

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State saw its five-game win streak snapped at the hands of No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney on Tuesday (Oct. 28), dropping a 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-14) contest at Pass, Set, Pink Night.

FHSU slipped back to one game under .500 with the loss, sitting at 12-13 overall on the season and 6-10 in conference play.  The Tigers remain just one game short of tying their single-season conference win mark as members of the MIAA.

FHSU hung tough until 8-all in the first set, but allowed a 5-0 run by the Lopers that gave the visitors breathing room to finish out the set, 25-17.

Coach Kurt Kohler Interview

The Tigers had a chance to tie the match in the second set, but couldn’t pull off the set win after looking at set point (24-23).  Earlier in the set, tied 10-all, the Lopers broke out to a 13-11 lead, but FHSU answered, setting in motion back-and-forth play that brought the game to 21-all.

FHSU grabbed control at 22-21, 23-22 and 24-23, but all three times saw UNK answer.  At FHSU’s set point, 24-23, UNK broke off with three straight points to take the set, 26-24, and spoil the Tigers’ win.

Out of the break, FHSU led 3-1, but was UNK answer to take a 4-3 lead.  Soon after, tied 5-5, UNK used three straight kills from Caitlin Broadwell to take the lead for good (up 8-5).  The Tigers couldn’t recover, falling in the third set, 25-14.

Mallory Flagor led the team with 10 kills on the evening, hitting double-digits for the 18th time this season.  Flagor’s three blocks (one solo) was also tied for the team lead, with Callie Christensen.

In the back row, Keanu Bradley dug up 18 attacks, while Kristen Conor had nine digs to go with 13 assists, second on the team behind Reagan Vanderplas (17 assists).

The Tigers close out the home portion of their 2014 schedule this weekend with matches against Lindenwood on Saturday (Nov. 1) and Central Missouri on Sunday (Nov. 2).  Senior Day is Sunday at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

FHSU Athletics

The Tiger Men’s Soccer program jumped two spots to No. 22 in the latest NSCAA National Rankings, released Tuesday by the organization. Fort Hays State, slotted 24th in last week’s rankings, stretched its unbeaten streak to 10 games after going 1-0-1 in MIAA competition last week.

FHSU, tabbed second in the first regional rankings (released last Wednesday), is joined in the national poll by MIAA opponent Northeastern State, which moved up one spot to No. 14. The Tigers and RiverHawks played to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

The Tigers have two games remaining in the season, closing out conference play at Upper Iowa on Thursday (Oct. 30) before returning to FHSU Soccer Stadium for Senior Day on Nov. 2, versus West Texas A&M.

The complete NSCAA Top 25 is below…

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

Also receiving votes: Azusa Pacific University (12), Wingate University (10), Bloomsburg University (9), Metropolitan State University of Denver (6), Francis Marion University (5), University of Alabama-Huntsville (4), West Virginia Wesleyan (1)

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State received votes in the NCAA Division II Preseason wrestling poll, released Monday (Oct. 27) by the Division II Wrestling Coaches Association.

FHSU, which finished 21st in last year’s NCAA Division II National Championships, was one of five MIAA squads recognized in the poll. No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney had 134 points, while Central Oklahoma (No. 9, 87 points) and Lindenwood (No. 10, 77 points) were both Top 10 selections. Central Missouri was picked 12th with 77 points.

Individually, the Tigers had two wrestlers ranked in their respective weight classes.

Josh Rodriguez is No. 5 at 174 pounds after going 17-11 last season with an appearance at the NCAA Championships, earning a berth after a second place finish at the NCAA Central Super Regional.

Jon Inman is ranked fifth at 184 pounds after earning MIAA Freshman of the Year honors with a 27-8 overall record. Inman competed at the 2014 NCAA Championships after winning the NCAA Central Super Regional at 184 pounds.

The Tigers open the 2014-15 season with the Black and Gold Scrimmage on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

The complete team and individual rankings are below…

Rank	Team	Points
1	Maryville (Mo.)	151
2	Quachita Baptist (Ark.)	142
3	Nebraska-Kearney	134
4	Notre Dame (Ohio)	122
5	St. Cloud State (Minn.)	121
6	McKendree (Ill.)	116
7	Mercyhurst (Pa.)	114
8	Western State (Colo.)	94
9	Central Oklahoma	87
10	Lindenwood (Mo.)	77
11	North Carolina-Pembroke	54
12	Central Missouri	53
13	Kutztown (Pa.)	52
14	Lake Erie (Ohio)	51
15	Augustana (S.D.)	45
16	Upper Iowa	44
17	Ashland (Ohio)	34
18	California Baptist	30
19	Newberry (S.C.)	29
20	Colorado Mesa	23

Others receiving votes: Adams State (Colo.), Findlay (Ohio),Fort Hays State (Kan.), Gannon (Pa.), Indianapolis (Ind.), Southwest Minnesota, Tiffin (Ohio), Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)

Individual Rankings
125 Pounds
1. T.J. North, Augustana (S.D.)
2. Matt Turek, Gannon (Pa.)
3. Gerald Huff, Adams State (Colo.)
4. Garrett Evans, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
5. Josh Kieffer, Indianapolis (Ind.)
6. Willie Bohince, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
7. Tanner Johnshoy, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
8. Blake Bosch, Minnesota State-Moorhead

133 Pounds
1. Daniel DeShazer, Nebraska-Kearney
2. Michael Labry, Ashland (Ohio)
3. Nate Rodriguez, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
4. Zak Hale, Anderson (S.C.)
5. Matt Paulus, Upper Iowa
6. Zac Shank, Western State (Colo.)
7. Ryan Bohince, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
8. Martin Ramirez, Adams State (Colo.)

141 Pounds
1. Daniel Ownbey, North Carolina-Pembroke
2. Josh Myers, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
3. Darick Lapaglia, Maryville (Mo.)
4. Kyle Webb, Lindenwood (Mo.)
5. Maurice Miller, Notre Dame (Ohio)
6. Justin Keiffer, Indianapolis (Ind.)
7. Jordan Roths, Upper Iowa
8. Corbin Bennetts, Western State (Colo.)

149 Pounds
1. Frank Cagnina, Central Missouri
2. Jay Hildreth, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. Keenan Hagerty, Maryville (Mo.)
4. Jeremy Landowski, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
5. Andrew Bannister, Notre Dame (Ohio)
6. Brent Fickel, Ashland (Ohio)
7. Spencer Rutherford, Central Oklahoma
8. Colin Landowski, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)

157 Pounds
1. Jonatan Rivera, Notre Dame (Ohio)
2. Clint Poster, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. James Martinez, Colorado Mesa
4. Derrick Weller, Lindenwood (Mo.)
5. Brady Bersano, California Baptist
6. John Crowley, Colorado School of Mines
7. Josh Ballard, McKendree (Ill.)
8. Chase White, Nebraska Kearney

165 Pounds
1. Chris Watson, Central Oklahoma
2. Nick Haferkamp, McKendree (Ill.)
3. Dimitri Willis, Maryville (Mo.)
4. Cody Quinn, Minnesota State-Mankato
5. Gabe Fogarty, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
6. Ty Loethen, Central Missouri
7. Bo Candelaria, Kutztown (Pa.)
8. Matt Vandermeer, Lake Erie (Ohio)

174 Pounds
1. Elliot Copeland, Western State (Colo.)
2. Zeb Wahle, Maryville (Mo.)
3. Jacob Begin, Southwest Minnesota
4. August Mizia, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
5. Josh Rodriguez, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
6. Joe Pittman, Newberry (S.C.)
7. Luis Alba, McKendree (Ill.)
8. Clayton Jennissen, St. Cloud State (Minn.)

184 Pounds
], Dallas Smith, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
2. Nick Brughardt, Maryville (Mo.)
3. Kyle Piatt, Western State (Colo.)
4. Jared Holliday, Newberry (S.C.)
5. Jon Inman, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
6. Jon Vogt, McKendree (Ill.)
7. Blake Sorenson, Upper Iowa
8. Zack Zelcs, Gannon (Pa.)

197 Pounds
1. Romero Cotton, Nebraska-Kearney
2. Julian Smith, McKendree (Ill.)
3. Evan Rosborough, Lake Erie (Ohio)
4. Kenny Breauz, Lindenwood (Mo.)
5. Sam Mangum, Western State (Colo.)
6. Paco Petana, Colorado Mesa
7. Jayd Docken, Augustana (S.D.)
8. Andrew Reggi, San Francisco State (Calif.)

285 Pounds
1. Ziad Haddad, Kutztown (Pa.)
2. Donnell Walker, Maryville (Mo.)
3. Austin Goergen, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
4. Cole Wilson, Southwest Minnesota
5. Logan Hopp, Upper Iowa
6. Chris Giddens, North Carolina-Pembroke
7. Peter Anguiano, Western State (Colo.)
8. Andy Welton, Mercyhurst (Pa.)

FHSU Athletics

No. 24 Fort Hays State pushed its unbeaten streak to 10 matches on Sunday (Oct. 26), earning a 1-1 draw with No. 15 Northeastern State at FHSU Soccer Stadium.

The Tigers (11-3-2, 8-2-1 MIAA) did see their nine-match win streak come to an end with the draw, but haven’t lost since Sept. 20.

FHSU scored first, capitalizing on a scramble in front of the net to grab a lead with about 10 minutes to play in the first half.  After shots from David Lucio and Michael Cole were blocked and deflected, respectively, Drew Wilson gathered the ball in the box and took aim.  Wilson’s shot originally appeared to rebound off the cross bar towards a crowd of players, but at closer look, deflected past the goal line for a score.  The goal was Wilson’s second of the season, and sent the Tigers to halftime with a lead.

Out of the break, both squads were active on the offensive end, firing 17 total shots combined (with FHSU taking six). The Tigers’ defense held strong for much of the half, but with just under seven minutes to play in regulation, found themselves in a tie game. After a yellow card was given to FHSU’s Carlos Linares on a foul inside the box, the RiverHawks’ Jordan Schmoker hit a penalty kick at 83:19 to tie the game up.

After ending regulation in a tie, the Tigers’ looked to pick up their second consecutive golden goal victory (after defeating Lindenwood on Oct. 23 on a golden goal), but couldn’t find the net in the final 20 minutes of play.  NSU had three shots split between the final two 10-minute overtime periods, while FHSU did not record a shot.

Offensively, Maurizio Costa led the squad with three shots on the day, while Mauricio Castorino, Austin Clifton and Damion Cooper each had two shots.

In the net, Kent Freund played all 110 minutes, picking up a season-high eight saves on the afternoon.  Freund’s goals against average is now 0.93 for the season.

The Tigers hit the road next week for its final MIAA contest of the year, squaring off with Upper Iowa on Thursday (Oct. 30) at 2 p.m.  Fort Hays State returns to FHSU Soccer Stadium for Senior Day (and its regular season finale) on Nov. 2, taking on West Texas A&M at 1 p.m.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Women’s Soccer pushed its win streak to four matches with a 2-1 comeback victory over Emporia State on Sunday (Oct. 26) afternoon in Emporia, Kan.

FHSU (10-4-2, 8-2-2 MIAA) now stands alone in third place of the conference standings with two conference games remaining, locking up a Top 4 finish in the MIAA regular season.  The Tigers clinched a berth to the MIAA Tournament earlier this week.

ESU struck first, gaining an early advantage in the ninth minute of action.  Off a pass from Kelsey Wakefield, the Lady Hornets’ Grace Linton picked up her team-leading sixth goal of the year at 8:40.

Down 1-0 after the break, FHSU tied the match on a penalty kick from Kelsey Steffens. Steffens was awarded a penalty kick at 55:49, capitalizing on the scoring chance by driving it past ESU’s Yadira Rivera.

Inside 20 minutes remaining in regulation, FHSU’s Hannah Smith recorded her first goal of the season off a corner kick from Steffens.  Off an assist from Steffens, Smith’s head found the ball for the eventual game-winner.

For the game, FHSU outshot ESU, 17-14, and had eight shots on goal.  Individually, Hailey Davey’s five shots (four on goal) led the team, while Hannah Jurgens, Kylee Loneker and Hannah Smith each had two shots.

Goalkeeper Kristen Thompson picked up four saves on the afternoon, grabbing win No. 10 on the year. Thompson has allowed just three goals over the previous nine games, including a stretch of five straight shutouts.

FHSU closes out its road trip next Thursday (Oct. 30) in Kearney, Neb., in a rematch with Nebraska-Kearney.  The Tigers defeated UNK, 1-0, in the MIAA opener earlier this season.  Game time on Thursday is set for 6:30 p.m.  Fort Hays State returns to FHSU Soccer Stadium on Sunday (Nov. 2) for Senior Day (and the regular season finale), taking on Washburn at 3:30 p.m.

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Northwest Missouri State held Fort Hays State without a first down for much of the second half and blow open a tight game by scoring 22 unanswered second half points to beat the Tigers 29-10 Saturday afternoon at Lewis Field. The defending national champions improve to 7-1 while the Tigers fall to 4-4.

Coach Chris Brown Postgame Interview

 

Brock Long / Ed Williams Postgame Interview

Northwest scored on their opening possession to grab a 7-0 lead. The Tigers used a 46-yard pass to Ed Williams to set up a 41-yard Drew O’Brien field goal for a 7-3 score at halftime.

Game Highlights

The Tigers were held without a first down on their first four second half possessions and trailed 29-3 before a 32-yard touchdown run by quarterback Treveon Albert with 3:20 to play.

The Tigers finish with just 186 yards of offense, 96 of them coming on their scoring drive. Northwest had 449 yards.

Treveon Albert completed 8-of-18 passes for 98 yards. Six of the passes were to Ed Williams for 83 yards. Albert rushed for 56 yards and scored the Tigers only touchdown.