The 23rd-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team opened their season with a 2-1 win over Colorado State-Pueblo Fridah on the first day of the Days Inn Soccer Classic at the FHSU Soccer Stadium.

Michael Cole’s header off a left side pass from David Lucio in the 82nd minute put the Tigers ahead for good. Diego Cabral scored off a penalty kick in the 40th minute to give the Tigers the 1-0 lead.

The Thunderwolves tied the match on a free kick in the 65th minute.

Kent Fruend made five saves in goal.

The 1-0 Tigers will play Drury (Mo.) Sunday at 1:30pm. The Panthers defeated Lubbock Christian 2-1 in the first match of the day.

FHSU Athletics

The Fort Hays State women’s cross country team won the Trojan Invitational, hosted by Colby Community College on Friday evening (Sept. 5) in Colby, Kan. The Tigers swept the top three positions and tallied the low team score of 18 points. Ramsey McCarter topped the field on the 4K course in a time of 14:37.

Micki Krzesinski finished right behind McCarter in a time of 14:38, while Chelsea Jackson crossed the line third overall in 14:43. Alex Keehn was fifth overall in 15:15, while Hannah Robinson  was seventh overall in 15:27. The Tigers had 10 of the top 13 runners in the race, which also included Sydney Lower, Vanessa Resh, Amanda Morgan, Shea Bonine and Jessie Rubottom. 

The Tigers topped a field of four teams at the event. FHSU returns to action next Saturday (Sept. 13) at the Hutchinson Blue Dragon Invitational.

Tiger men finish second

Fort Hays State men’s cross country finished second at the Trojan Invitational, hosted by Colby Community College on Thursday (Sept. 4). Colby won its home meet, topping the Tigers by 12 points. Colby had 25 points, compared to 37 for FHSU. Four teams competed at the event.

Ryan Hopkins was the top runner for the Tigers, finishing third overall in a time of 15:36 on the 5K course. Isaac Williams was fourth overall with a time of 15:37. Troy Wineinger was ninth in 15:57, Seth Parres was 15th in 16:30, and Jake Spencer was 17th in 16:44.

Next up for the Tigers is the Hutchinson Blue Dragon Invitational on Saturday (Sept. 13).

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Women’s Soccer exploded with four goals in a 4-1 season opening road win over No. 21 Southwest Minnesota State on Friday (Sept. 5).  The win was the Tigers’ first over a ranked opponent since the MIAA Championship Game in 2012, and is a regional victory for the team. 

Jordan Hester had two goals for the Tigers, leading the way as Jordan Shaw and Hailey Davey each added a goal.  The two goals in a game for Hester ties a school record, and is a new career best for the junior.

Jasmine Beaulieu and Kylee Loneker were credited with assists in the game.
 
Fort Hays State struck first in the 16th minute of action, when Makatura’s corner kick found Shaw in the box, who headed it in for a score.
 
That lead was extended to 2-0 just before intermission, when Davey took a pass from Beaulieu for her first goal of the season, carrying over strong offensive play from exhibition action.
 
Out of the break, Hester entered the scoring column at 54:35.  Using a cross from Loneker, Hester headed the ball past the keeper into the back of the net and put Fort Hays State ahead, 3-0.
 
Hester’s second goal of the night came just past the 71-minute mark (71:07).  Steffens crossed a pass to the back post of the goal where Hester was waiting for FHSU’s fourth and final goal of the night.
 
SMSU got one back soon after as Justine Hauck scored in the 74th minute, but that was it for the Mustangs as FHSU closed out the win.
 
FHSU had six shots all night, five of which were on goal.  In the goal, Kristen Thompson played all 90 minutes, allowing one goal and recording seven saves.
 
The Tigers return to competition on Sunday (Sept. 7) against the University of Sioux Falls.  Game time is set for 11 a.m., in Sioux Falls, S.D.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Volleyball started out the season in impressive fashion Friday, Sept. 5, picking up two wins at the Henderson State Classic in Arkadelphia, Ark.  FHSU defeated McMurry, 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 26-24) to start the day before a 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-23) win over Southeastern Oklahoma State.
 
Combined statistical leaders for the two matches were Malloy Flagor with 33 kills, including a career high 24 against SOSU, Libby Ary with 52 assists and Keanu Bradley with 33 digs. 
 
The Tigers close out the invitational on Saturday (Sept. 6) with matches against Union (Tenn.) and Henderson State.  Live stats will be available for the HSU match.
 
A complete recap of individual matches is below…
 
Fort Hays State def. McMurry, 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 26-24)
 
FHSU never trailed in the first set, using a kill from Flagor to start the match before jumping out to a 6-2 lead, helped in part by a block and kill by freshman middle hitter Mikalah Hughes.
 
Up 9-5 later in the set, a kill by Rebekah Spainhour started a 6-1 run for the Tigers to give them a 15-6 advantage.  That lead grew soon after, when up eight (18-10), a quick five-point burst for FHSU put the Tigers within two of the set point (23-10). 
 
McMurry broke the run with a point, but a War Hawk error and a kill by Teresa Wade gave FHSU a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
The second and third frames proved to be more of a battle, though the Tigers were victorious in each.
 
Tied 13-all in the second, a quick three-point burst for the Tigers with kills by Spainhour and Bradley put FHSU ahead, 16-13, but the War Hawks answered with three points of their own to re-tie the match, 16-16. 
 
Soon after, FHSU pulled ahead two, 20-18, and closed out the set, taking advantage of three McMurry errors.
 
Neither team could establish themselves in control of the third set. The squads traded points back-and-forth until 12-all, when McMurry grabbed two quick points (14-12), only to have FHSU climb back to tie it at 15. 
 
Later in the set, tied at 20, three McMurry errors put Fort Hays State ahead 23-20, but three straight kills from the War Hawks’ Catherine Heath tied the score again.  At 24-24, FHSU took advantage of two McMurry errors to close the set, and win the match.
 
Flagor led the way offensively with nine kills for the Tigers, hitting .318, while Spainhour had seven kills and Sara Hewson added seven.  Freshman Mikalah Hughes was strong in her collegiate debut, tallying six kills and three blocks (one solo).
 
Ary and Raegan Vanderplas shared time as primary setters, as Ary had 19 assists and Vanderplas totaled 16.  Defensively, libero Keanu Bradley had 15 digs while outside hitter Teresa Wade dug up 12 attacks, in addition to adding five kills of her own.
 
Fort Hays State def. Southeastern Oklahoma State, 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-23)
 
Fort Hays State used a strong attack from the right side to defeat SOSU, with a career high 24 kills from Flagor and 17 kills from Taylor Mares.
 
FHSU led for much of the first, with its largest lead of the set coming midway through, up 14-10.  That, however, would not hold as the Savage Storm closed the gap to tie it at 16-all. FHSU again took a lead, 20-18, but SOSU closed the frame on a 7-2 run to win the point, taking advantage of three Tiger errors.
 
Fort Hays State recovered in the second frame to tie it, hanging with the Savage Storm in a back-and-forth game.  Up four (17-13), FHSU looked to be on the verge of pulling away before SOSU climbed back to tie it at 19-19.  Tied at 21-all, a kill from Flagor sparked a 4-1 run for FHSU to close the set, 25-22.
 
The Tigers controlled most of the third set, never trailing en route to grabbing a 2-1 lead in the match. FHSU had two runs of four unanswered in the set (up 6-5 and 13-7), providing the team a burst to pull away to its largest lead of the night (19-11).  SOSU pulled back within five at set point (24-19), but a kill from Sara Hewson gave FHSU the win.
 
Down 4-6 early in the set, FHSU stormed back on a 5-0 run to take the lead for good, slowly extending its lead to six (17-11).  With the Tigers looking for match point (24-18), Southeastern Oklahoma State climbed back to within one before Ary’s kill moved Fort Hays State to 2-0 on the day.
 
Ary’s 33 assists were a team high, followed by Kristin Conor’s 13 assists.  Defensively, Keanu Bradley (18 digs), Sara Hewson (17 digs) and Haley Corkill (15 digs) led the squad. 
 

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Central Oklahoma ran 36 more plays and dominated the time of possession and beat the Fort Hays State Tigers 26-7 in the season opener for both in front of 4,133 a Lewis Field Thursday night. The Bronchos, who had lost 19 of their last 21 road games, amassed 489 yards on 81 plays and had the ball for 40:44. The Tigers were held to 181 yards on 45 plays and only had the ball for 19:16.

Chris Brown Postgame News Conference

Daniel Lindsey / DeAndre James Postgame Interview

 

After a scoreless first quarter, UCO grabbed the lead on the first play of the second quarter, scoring on a 24 yard touchdown pass to Connor Pulley. The Tigers looked like they were going to answer on their next possession, but a controversial fumble by redshirt freshman James Sullivan at the five yard line gave the ball back to the Bronchos. Kevin Spain, who replaced starter Treveon Albert in the second quarter, hit Ed Williams on a 38-yard pass on third and nine then connected with Isaiah Maxi for 18 yards before the fumble, which appeared to come after Sullivan had already hit the ground.

Game Highlights

 

UCO quarterback Chas Stallard scored on an 11 yard run two possessions later to give the Bronchos a 14-0 lead at halftime.

The Bronchos controlled the second half, forcing the Tigers to punt on four their five possessions and picking off a pass on the other.

FHSU’s only score came late in the third quarter on a DeAndre James 89 yard kickoff return. It was the Tigers first kickoff return for a touchdown since C.J. Lovett returned one against Western State in the 2009 season opener.

Senior running back Edward Smith was injured on the Tigers first possession and didn’t return. Kevin Spain and Kenneth Iheme both rushed for 22 yards to lead the Tigers ground game. Spain completed 3-of-13 passes for 65 yards and threw an interception. Treveon Albert completed 4-of-9 for just 24 yards. Ed Williams hauled in three catches for 64 yards.

Punter Drew O’Brien launched a 78 yard punt late in the game, tying Adam Ryan for the second longest punt in Fort Hays State history.

The 0-1 Tigers make their first trip to Tahlequah, Oklahoma a week from Saturday to play Northeastern State. The River Hawks are at No. 9 Pittsburg State Saturday night.

 

Listen as running back Edward Smith, quarterback Treveon Albert and linebacker Justin McPhail address the media prior to Thursday’s season opener vs. Central Oklahoma.

Edward Smith

 

Treveon Albert

 

Justin McPhail

Fort Hays State head football coach Chris Brown held his first weekly news conference prior to Tuesday evening’s practice at Lewis Field. The Tigers open the college football season Thursday night at home against Central Oklahoma at 7pm.

Chris Brown Part 1

Chris Brown Part 2

 

You can hear the game on Tiger Radio Mix 103 (KJLS 103.3-FM) beginning with the Auto World Pregame Show at 6pm.

The Fort Hays State volleyball team and men’s basketball team each got a verbal commitment Thursday.

Aaron Nicholson, the younger brother of Tiger point guard Craig Nicholson, posted on Twitter that he intends to play basketball at Fort Hays State.

McPherson junior Magan Alexander says she will join the Tiger volleyball team in 2016 according to the McPherson Sentinel.

MIAA Media Relations

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In the first men’s and women’s golf poll to be released by the MIAA the Central Missouri men and the Central Oklahoma women are unanimous decisions to win the league championship. Both teams are coming off season’s where they were able to win the conference tournament. 

For the men Central Oklahoma is picked second coming in just four points ahead of Northeastern State who received the other first place vote and is picked third. Lindenwood has been picked to finish fourth just six points ahead of Nebraska-Kearney who is picked to finish fifth by the coaches. Washburn is picked to finish sixth in the poll while Missouri Western has been picked to finish in seventh place. 

Lincoln and Missouri Southern tied in their votes form the coaches as they are both picked to finish eighth overall. Fort Hays State has been picked to finish tenth ahead of Southwest Baptist who is picked to finish in eleventh overall. 

In the women’s poll Northeastern State grabbed the final fist place vote and are picked to finish in second place. Lindenwood has been selected by the coaches to finish in third and Central Missouri was picked to finish in fourth. Nebraska-Kearney comes in three points behind UCM in fifth place while Missouri Western sits just two points behind them in sixth place. 

Northwest Missouri is picked to finish in seventh place with Fort Hays State selected by the coaches to finish in eight place. Southwest Baptist has been picked in ninth with Lincoln picked to finish tenth. 

The fall season is set to get underway shortly with the teams pushing towards the MIAA Championships to be held on April 20-22 in Lawrence, Kan.

2014 MIAA Preseason Men’s Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (10)         100
2. Central Oklahoma               85
3. Northeastern State (1)        81
4. Lindenwood                        71
5. Nebraska-Kearney             65
6. Washburn                           56
7. Missouri Western               41
T8. Lincoln                             33
T8. Missouri Southern           33
10. Fort Hays State               30 
11. Southwest Baptist            10 

2014 MIAA Preseason Women’s Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (9)      81 
2. Northeastern State (1)     73
3. Lindenwood                     60
4. Central Missouri              50 
5. Nebraska-Kearney          47
6. Missouri Western            45
7. Northwest Missouri         38
8. Fort Hays State               27
9. Southwest Baptist           18
10. Lincoln                           11

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

One week ago, the Fort Hays State defense was way ahead of the offense. Thursday they offense closed that gap as the Tigers held their final scrimmage prior to their season opener September 4th against Central Oklahoma.

Coach Chris Brown comments on the Tigers third and final scrimmage

The offense had five turnovers in their second scrimmage but only one on Thursday. Both quarterbacks Treveon Albert and Kevin Spain led scoring drives against the No. 1 defense. After a long run from running back Kenneth Iheme, Albert connected on a 16 yard TD pass to Bilal Salat. Spain hit Garrett Holle on an 11-yard strike against the No. 2 defense. He later found tight end Marshall Musil on a four-yard strike against the No. 1 defense.

Spain did throw the only interception which resulted in a touchdown for Daniel Lindsey.

The Fort Hays State volleyball team took a pair of exhibition matches from Bethel College Wednesday night as they get their final tuneup before the start of their season next weekend.

The Tigers took the first match 3-2 (25-22, 25-15, 21-25, 25-27, 15-8) then won the second match 4-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-20, 25-13).

Fort Hays opens their season next Friday against McMurray and Southeastern Oklahoma State at the Henderson State tournament in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Fort Hays State Athletics

The Fort Hays State Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams were picked seventh in respective MIAA preseason polls, released Wednesday (Aug. 29) by the league office.
 
The men’s team, anchored by two-time NCAA Championship competitor Cory Keehn, received 28 points in the men’s MIAA preseason poll, picked ahead of Lindenwood and Emporia State.  Joining Keehn as a top returner for the men is Jonny Bernansky, who has been performing well in preseason after an 18th place finish in last year’s MIAA Championships. Troy Wineinger and Ryan Hopkins are also expected to be key components of the 2014 Tigers’ squad.
 
Missouri Southern topped the men’s poll with eight first-place votes and 64 points, followed by Southwest Baptist’s 53 points.  Central Missouri grabbed the other first-place vote, picked third with 48 points.  Rounding out the top five is Nebraska-Kearney (41 points) and Northwest Missouri State (36 points), while Pittsburg State’s 31 tallies places them just ahead of the Tigers.
 
On the women’s side, FHSU had 47 votes to rank seventh, ahead of Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood, Lincoln and Emporia State. 
 
Micki Krzesinski won the team’s time trial and has worked hard in the offseason, while freshman Chelsea Jackson has impressed thus far in early season training.  Senior captains Hannah Robinson and Alex Keehn are also expected to make an impact on the team’s success, and Ramsey McCarter returns for the Tigers as the top FHSU finisher at the MIAA Championships, crossing the line just outside the Top 20 (22nd overall).
 
Southwest Baptist, which won the 2013 MIAA Championship, picked up five first-place votes and 91 total points as the top preseason program, followed by Pittsburg State, which had 86 points (one first-place vote).  Missouri Southern (85 points) and Nebraska-Kearney were third and fourth with three and two first-place votes, respectively, while Central Missouri had 63 points to be picked fifth.  Northwest Missouri was just ahead of the Tigers with 51 points in sixth place.
 
FHSU opens its season with the FHSU Alumni Run on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Trojan Invitational on Sept. 5 in Colby, Kan.
 
The complete MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Polls are below…
 
2014 MIAA Preseason Men’s Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Southern (8)  64
2. Southwest Baptist  53
3. Central Missouri (1)  48
4. Nebraska-Kearney  41
5. Northwest Missouri  36
6. Pittsburg State  31
7. Fort Hays State  28
8. Lindenwood  15
9. Emporia State    8
 
2014 MIAA Preseason Women’s Coaches Poll
1. Southwest Baptist (5)  91
2. Pittsburg State (1)  86
3. Missouri Southern (3) 85
4. Nebraska-Kearney (2)  83 
5. Central Missouri  63
6. Northwest Missouri  51
7. Fort Hays State  47
8. Central Oklahoma  36
9. Lindenwood  31
10. Lincoln  20 
11. Emporia State  12