Pulling off their second upset of the Tournament Fort Hays State came from behind for a 2-1 overtime victory over Central Oklahoma to advance to the MIAA Women’s Soccer Championship.

The scoring got started in the 53rd minute as Kate Foran scored an unassisted goal to give UCO the 1-0 lead. Three minutes later in the 56th minute Alexis Aiman scored her fifth goal of the season to even up the match. The game would then take until the second overtime to reach it’s conclusion as Jordan Hester scored her ninth goal of the season off a pass from Jamie Babyak. Nicole Barnaba stopped seven shots in goal for the Tigers to earn her second win of the post season.

Fort Hays State will face Central Missouri in the MIAA Women’s Soccer Championship on Nov. 4 from South Recreation Complex in Warrensburg, Mo.

– MIAA –

The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team couldn’t overcome 21 turnovers and a nine minute scoring drought and lost 68-57 in their exhibition opener at Kansas State Thursday night. The Tigers held the lead for a good portion of the first half and took it back early in the second half before Kansas State went on a 9-2 run to grab the lead for good early in the second half.

Fort Hays State pulled within two on a steal and layup layup by Melissa Nelson with 9:39 to play, but Chantay Caron hit a key 3-point field goal for the Wildcats at the 7:51 mark to extend the Wildcats lead back to five.

Tony Hobson Postgame 11-1-12

Game Highlights 11-1-12

Fort Hays State led by as many as six on a couple different occasions in the first half but went scoreless for over nine minutes. K-State scored 10 unanswered during the drought and built a seven-point with under two minutes to play in the first half.

Traci Keyser’s 3-pointer ended the scoreless stretch at the 1:18 mark and a Kate Edwards put back near the end of the half pulled the Tigers within four at halftime, 30-26.

Kate Lehman had a big night for the Tigers with a double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. She also had six blocked shots.

Kate Lehman Postgame 11-1-12

Kate Edwards and Melissa both scored nine points, Traci Keyser added eight, and Kaiameka Brown chipped in with seven, all in the second half.  FHSU had just seven points from its bench. The Tigers finished the game shooting 36.8 percent from the field.

The Lady Tigers held the Wildcats to just 39.1 percent shooting from the field, including just 16.7 percent from beyond the 3-point line. The Wildcats benefitted from 21 FHSU turnovers, outscoring FHSU in points off turnovers 21-9.

Brittany Chambers led KSU with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, also adding a team-high five assists and four steals. Ashia Woods was the top scorer for the Wildcats with 19 points. Chantay Caron added 14 points.

The Lady Tigers return to exhibition action on Sunday afternoon against the University of Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence. Game time is set for 2 pm with the Fort Hays Auto Sale Pregame Show at 1:40 on Tiger Radio Mix-103.

The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team fell, 2-1, to Lindenwood in the semifinals of the MIAA Tournament in Olathe, Kan. on Thursday night. The loss eliminates the Tigers from the tournament. FHSU is now 11-5-2 on the season. LU advances to take on Northeastern State on Saturday in the MIAA Championship.

After a scoreless first half, the Lions scored early in the second half – just under three minutes into the half – to take a 1-0 advantage.

Fort Hays State knotted the score at 1-1 in the 67th minute when Tomas Mares scored from the right side of the box. His shot hit the post and went in to give Mares his 11th goal of the season, a team high.

The 1-1 score lasted only seven minutes as LU scored the game-winner on a header from Axel Duarte to go up 2-1 in the 74th minute.

Kent Freund went the full 90 minutes in goal for the Tigers, making eight saves and allowing the two goals. He is now 6-3-2 on the season in goal.

– FHSU Sports Information –

The Fort Hays State Lady Tigers are receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Preseason Basketball Poll released Wednesday afternoon. The Tigers receive six votes after a 20-9 season in 2011-12.

The MIAA hasfour teams ranked in the top-25 with two receiving votes. Pittsburg State is ranked No. 3, Washburn No. 17, Emporia State No. 19 and conference newcomber Northeastern State No. 23.

In addition to Fort Hays State, Central Missouri is receiving votes.

The Lady Tigers open their season with an exhibition game Thursday at Kansas State at 7pm.

Complete poll below…

USA TODAY Sports DIVISION II TOP 25 COACHES’ POLL

Preseason Poll: October 30, 2012

USA TODAY Sports Division II Top 25 women’s basketball poll, with first-place votes to the right, total points based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th.

Others Receiving Votes: University of Alabama – Huntsville 116; Tarleton State University (Texas) 99; Fort Lewis College (Colo.) 84; Wingate University (N.C.) 82; Indiana University of Pennsylvania 67; Simon Fraser University (BC) 50; Florida Southern College 49; Arkansas Tech University 38; Maryville University-St Louis (Mo.) 38; Drury University (Mo.) 33; University of Minnesota – Duluth 23; Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 21; Nova Southeastern University (Fla.) 21; Limestone College (S.C.) 20; Harding University (Ark.) 19; Valdosta State University (Ga.) 19; California State University – Chico 18; Fairmont State University (W.Va.) 18; Dowling College (N.Y.) 14; Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.) 13; Pace University (N.Y.) 12; Michigan Technological University 11; University of West Alabama 10; Dixie State College of Utah 8; Saint Mary’s University (Texas) 8; University of Arkansas – Fort Smith 8; Fort Hays State University (Kan.) 6; Concordia University (Minn.) 5; Newberry College (S.C.) 5; University of Mary (N.D.) 4; University of Central Missouri 3; Barton College (N.C.) 1; Caldwell College (N.J.) 1; California State University – Monterey Bay 1; Colorado State University – Pueblo 1; Fort Valley State University (Ga.) 1; Glenville State College (W.Va.) 1; West Texas A&M University 1.

FHSU football coach Chris Brown and selected players held their weekly press conference Tuesday following practice. The Tigers shoot for their fourth straight win this Saturday when they host Central Missouri at 2pm. It’s senior day and also Military and Service Personnel Day with all former and current members of the military as well as Police, Fire and EMT personnel receiving free admission. Are boy scouts are encouraged to wear their uniforms and take part in the pregame ceremony on the field prior to the game.

Chris Brown Presser 10-30-12

Ed Williams Presser 10-30-12

Keke Paul Presser 10-30-12

Josh Reese Presser 10-30-12

Tanner Hageman Presser 10-30-12

Fort Hays State fell to No. 3 ranked Washburn on Tuesday evening in Topeka, Kan., but did not go without a fight as they fell by a score of 3-1. FHSU knotted up the match with a 25-23 win in the second set, but Washburn was too much in the late going of the third and fourth sets denying the upset-minded Tigers.

After Washburn rolled in the first set 25-13, FHSU stepped up its defensive play at the net recording six of its 11 total team blocks on the night in the second set. That coupled with eight other unforced hitting errors by the Lady Blues was the recipe for the Tigers knotting up the match one set each.  Jenna Ulrich had a hand in five of the blocks in that set, four assisted and one solo.

FHSU fell behind big in the third set at 13-4, but nearly found a way to climb back into the set. Trailing 22-16, the Tigers made a four-point run at the Lady Blues to get within two, but the Lady Blues closed out the set with three straight points.

FHSU looked to be in position to possibly force the fifth and decisive set by leading 10-7 early in the fourth, but Washburn made a quick run to tie the set at 10-10. Up 16-15 on FHSU, Washburn closed out the match by going on a 9-1 run to move to 26-1 overall and 12-1 in the MIAA. The loss for FHSU puts its record at 23-11 overall and 7-8 in the MIAA.

Madison Schwartz had a big night for the Tigers on the outside, putting down a season and career-high 21 kills. It was the first time a Tiger posted 20 or more kills in a match this year. She finished with a double-double, adding 14 digs.  Ulrich was near a double-double with nine kills and nine blocks.

Kayla Zogleman, who reached 1,000 assists for the season in the five-set win against Pittsburg State on Sunday, had 39 assists. Makenzie Wienman, who reached 500 digs for the season against Pittsburg State on Sunday, led FHSU in digs with 19.

Marissa Cox finished with 15 kills for Washburn, followed by Jessica Fey and Jessica Kopp each with 13. Abby Wittman had 45 assists and Hillary Hughes and Courtney Churchman tied with a team-high 15 digs for the Lady Blues.

Fort Hays State gets the rest of the week off before playing its final two regular season matches next week, starting on the road at Emporia State on Tuesday. FHSU closes out the regular season at the end of that week with Central Missouri on Saturday.

– FHSU Sports Information –

The Fort Hays State women’s soccer team moved on to the MIAA Tournament Semifinals with a 1-0 win over Truman on Tuesday at the Bulldog Pitch in Kirksville, Mo. The Tigers play No. 2-seeded Central Oklahoma match on Friday (Nov. 2). UCO defeated Missouri Southern, 4-0, in its quarterfinal match.

The Tigers took the lead late in the second half on a goal from Nicole Randall in the 76th minute. The senior midfielder scored on a free kick from 25 yards that found the top right of the goal, her first goal in her two year career at Fort Hays State.

Despite facing 21 shots, the Tigers held the Bulldogs scoreless. FHSU totaled 13 shots with two on goal.

Goalkeeper Nicole Barnaba held TSU scoreless, making four saves. The shutout is Barnaba’s six this season, and she improved to 8-2-1 on the season.

No. 6-seeded Fort Hays State is now 12-6-1 on the season, and the Tigers play No. 2-seeded Central Oklahoma on Friday in Warrensburg, Mo. Also advancing on Tuesday were No. 1 seed Central Missouri and No. 5 seed Northeastern State.

– FHSU Sports Information –

After suffering a frustrating five-set loss to Central Oklahoma the night before, the Fort Hays State volleyball team bounced back to defeat Pittsburg State in five sets on Sunday at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays. Trailing two sets to one, the Tigers won the fourth set 25-20, then dominated the fifth set 15-4 to move to 23-10 overall and 7-7 in the MIAA.

FHSU held the lead throughout much of the first set, but Pittsburg State rallied past the Tigers late to take the set 25-23. The second set remained tight throughout and the Tigers were able to go on a three-point burst to lead 22-19 and then took the set 25-22.

Pittsburg State took control of the third set early and never looked back, eventually winning the set by eight. The Tigers would not go quietly, as they came out swinging in the fourth to build an 8-2 lead and eventually led by 10 at 16-6. The Gorillas made it a bit closer in the end, but the Tigers still won by five.

Fort Hays State left no doubt in the fifth set by going on a 10-0 run to start the set, nine points while Tara Hoekman was serving. The Tigers had five kills coupled with five attack errors by the Gorillas to open the set, two of the errors were on blocks by the Tigers. FHSU hit .500 in the final set with nine kills and no errors on 18 attempts, while Pittsburg State hit -.083 in the final set. After the Gorillas hit over .230 in each of the first three sets, the Tigers held them to .073 in the fourth and then the negative percentage in the final set.

Madison Schwartz led the attack for FHSU with 15 kills and 13 digs for a double-double. Jenna Ulrich had 14 kills and eight blocks. Taylor Mares also reached double figures in kills with 12. Kayla Zoglman led in assists with 54 and added 11 digs for a double-double. Tare Hoekman led FHSU in digs with 21, followed by Makenzie Weinman with 19. Sara Hewson also reached double figures in digs with 11.

Crystal Whitten and Brooke Fay tied with a team-high 15 kills for Pittsburg State. Nicole Rockhold added 14 and Haylee Gregory had 10. Becca Pearson led PSU in assists with 36 and Crista McCaw had a team-high 24 digs.

Fort Hays State hits the road to face Washburn, currently ranked No. 3 in Division II, on Tuesday in Topeka, Kan. The match is set to begin at 7 pm.

– FHSU Sports Information –

The Fort Hays State women’s soccer team scored an early second half goal to win 1-0 over Western State on Sunday at the FHSU Soccer Stadium in Hays. The match was the regular season and home finale for the Tigers, as FHSU upped its record to 11-6-1 on the season.

The lone goal came in the 47th minute from two Tiger freshman. Jordan Hester  scored the goal on a shot from the right side of the box that went to the left side of the goal. Alexis Aiman’s pass set up the Hester goal for the 1-0 Tiger lead.

Although the Tigers held an 18-6 shot advantage, FHSU could only manage the one goal. FHSU totaled 10 shots in the first half and eight in the second half, while the Mountaineers finished with four shots in the first half and two in the second half.

Nicole Barnaba got the shutout win in goal for FHSU. She made two saves and held the Mountaineers scoreless.

In their second season, the Tigers improved by five wins from a season ago. FHSU continues its season on Tuesday in the MIAA Tournament against Truman in Kirksville, Mo.

Fort Hays State cross country coach Jason McCullough has been named the 2012 MIAA Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. This is the first MIAA Coach of the Year honor for McCullough, now in his eighth year as head coach of the Tigers.

The Tigers have seen a vast improvement in 2012, jumping from a sixth-place finish at the MIAA Championships in 2011 all the way to winners of the conference championship this year. Several factors have created the perfect storm for FHSU to be one of the top forces in the Central Region this year.

The emergence of Cory Keehn as one of Fort Hays State’s top runners has been impressive. Just a sophomore, the Soldier, Kan. native was the individual champion at the MIAA Championships after placing 15th in that event as a freshman. Keehn became the first individual conference champion in cross country for FHSU since 1979 when Curt Shelman accomplished the feat.

Right there with Keehn in the lead packs this year has been senior Alex Hende, who continues to show steady improvement in his career at FHSU. Hendee finished sixth at the MIAA Championships this year after finishing eighth last year, giving him two straight years on the All-MIAA Team. Senior Tanner Christensen has returned as a solid force on the team this year, especially in the last few weeks, after redshirting last year with an injury.

The final pieces to the puzzle for Coach McCullough this year have been Garden City (Kan.) Community College transfers Chris Ramsgard and Michael Wolf. Both have emerged as part of the top five that has allowed FHSU to score much better in meets than it did a year ago.

The Tigers look to make nationals as a team for the first time since 2002 when they run at the Central Regional on Saturday (Nov. 3).

– FHSU Sports Information –

Fort Hays State wrestling has been tabbed third in the MIAA Preseason Wrestling Coaches Poll, released on Thursday, October 25. Nebraska-Kearney is picked to win the conference dual schedule, with Central Oklahoma close behind.

Nebraska-Kearney is the defending national champion in NCAA Division II. The Lopers make the jump with the Tigers from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this year in wrestling. FHSU wrestling was the only sport remaining last year that was not yet affiliated with the MIAA. With the additions of Nebraska-Kearney, Central Oklahoma, and Lindenwood, the MIAA now has six schools with wrestling and will have it as a championship sport this year.

Nebraska-Kearney received four of the six first place votes by the coaches, while Central Oklahoma received the other two. UNK, UCO and FHSU have all been staples in the national rankings for wrestling for several years. UNK had three individual national champions last year to go with its team title, UCO had three wrestlers with top-five finishes at nationals last year, and FHSU had six individuals qualify for nationals last year.

– FHSU Sports Information –

Below is the preseason coaches poll…

2012-13 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Nebraska-Kearney (4) 24
2. Central Oklahoma (2) 22
3. Fort Hays State 16
4. Lindenwood 14
5. Central Missouri 9
6. Truman 5