A 2-0 weekend helped the Fort Hays State men’s soccer team hold on to the second spot in the NCAA Division II Central Region Rankings, released Wednesday (Nov. 1). Conference rival Northeastern State maintained its top spot in the region after knocking off Oklahoma Baptist and Delta State last weekend.

In fact, all four spots remained the same, with Harding holding steady at No. 3 and Lindenwood clinging to the fourth spot in the ranking despite losing to the Tigers 1-0 on Sunday.

The top two teams in the Central Region will qualify for the NCAA Tournament and will travel to the home field of the top seed in the Midwest Region to vie for the regional title. The regional final will be played on either Thursday, November 16 or Friday, November 17, with the winner advancing to play the Midwest Region champion in the national quarterfinal that weekend. A win in that round means a trip to Kansas City, Mo. for the national semifinal, set to be played at Swope Soccer Village.

Fort Hays State is the three-time defending champion of the Central Region, earning a trip to the national quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Tournament three years in a row.

Below are the NCAA Central Region Rankings for November 1, 2017.

Rank	Team	In-Region Record	Division II Record
1	Northeastern State	11-4	12-4
2	Fort Hays State	10-3-1	10-5-2
3	Harding	7-6-2	7-6-2
4	Lindenwood	7-7	8-7

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State women’s soccer team saw five members make All-MIAA lists for the 2017 season on Wednesday (Nov. 1). One Tiger earned a mention on both the First and Second Teams, while two were named to the Third Team. Rounding out the accomplishments was an Honorable Mention selection.

Senior forward Eden Stoddard earned the First Team mention after calculating eight goals so far on the season. Stoddard, a native of Young, Australia, has been crucial in the offense for the Tigers as she not only leads the team in goals on the season, but has accounted for a team-high five assists with two in the last two matches. On the year, Stoddard has attempted 30 shots and has totaled 21 points. In Stoddard’s first season with the Tigers in 2016, she was named to the All-MIAA Second Team.

Baylie Schmitz, a senior defender from Littleton, Co., captured her third appearance on the list as she earned an All-MIAA Second Team mention. Schmitz landed on the First Team in 2016 after an Honorable Mention during her sophomore season. Schmitz has been on the pitch 1,653 minutes so far during her senior campaign, and has been a critical component in the seven shutouts for the Tigers.

Fellow seniors Kristen Thompson and Jasmine Beaulieu secured Third-Team selections for the Tigers. Thompson, in charge of goalkeeping duties for FHSU, captures her third mention on the list. The Manhattan, Kan., native has collected 43 saves while boasting a 6-3-1 record in her final year holding down the net for Fort Hays State. In 82 shots faced, Thompson has only given up eight goals to her opponents. Beaulieu broke past her previous two Honorable Mention selections by being named a Third-Team member for 2017. The senior midfielder from Commerce City, Co., has netted three goals this year, including the game-winning goals in the last-two 1-0 wins for the Tigers. Beaulieu has also assisted on two goals for the Tigers and has amassed eight total points for her squad.

Sophomore defender Taryn Schnell rounds out the All-MIAA honors for the Tigers as she gathers an Honorable Mention nod. Schnell, a 2016 Second Team honoree, has recorded 1,670 minutes on the field for the Tigers while playing a decisive part in the strong defensive play by Fort Hays State. The native of Littleton, Co., has started in all 18 matches for FHSU.

2017 All-MIAA Women’s Soccer Team

Offensive Player of the Year
Jada Scott, F, Central Missouri

Defensive Player of the Year
Kayla Hamner, D, Central Missouri

Goalkeeper of the Year
Anna Dilkes, GK, Central Missouri

Freshman of the Year
Paulina Chavez, F, Northeastern State

Coach of the Year
Lewis Theobald, Central Missouri

First Team
GK: Anna Dilkes, Sr., Central Missouri**%@
D: Bridget Blessie, Sr., Missouri Western
D: Rebecca Gleason, Sr., Northeastern State
D: Kayla Hamner, Sr., Central Missouri**%
MF: Madeline Cowell, Jr., Missouri Western
MF: Kelsie Eason, Fr., Central Oklahoma
MF: Baylie Edwards, Sr., Central Missouri**
MF: Eden Stoddard, Sr., Fort Hays State
MF: Megan Woolley, Sr., Central Missouri%@
F: Paulina Chavez, Fr., Northeastern State
F: Cassidy Menke, Jr., Missouri Western%
F: Abby Rhodes, Sr., Central Missouri**@
F: Jada Scott, Jr., Central Missouri%@

Results reflect tie in voting
**=Unanimous Selection
%=2016 First Team Selection
@=2015 First Team Selection

Second Team
GK: Sarah Lyle, Sr., Missouri Western
D: Sarah Blakley, Sr., Missouri Western
D: Skylar Drum, Fr., Central Missouri
D: Courtney Killian, Jr., Central Missouri
D: Ronise Miller, Sr., Missouri Southern
D: Baylie Schmitz, Sr., Fort Hays State
MF: Melissa Giles, Sr., Northeastern State
MF: Becky Roberts, Sr., Lindenwood
MF: Izzy Romano, So., Northwest Missouri
F: Sydney Cluck, Sr., Missouri Western
F: Asha Haile, So., Central Oklahoma
F: Makayla Toth, Fr., Central Missouri

Third Team
GK: Kaitlin Minnich, Sr., Washburn
GK: Kristen Thompson, Sr., Fort Hays State
D: Leah Mettam, Fr., Emporia State
D: Madison Motil, So., Central Oklahoma
D: Rebecca Weimer, Sr., Washburn
MF: Jasmine Beaulieu, Sr., Fort Hays State
MF: Tara Benefiel, So., Emporia State
MF: Tera Lynch, Fr., Washburn
MF: Megan Maenner, Jr., Missouri Western
F: Katie Killion, Jr., Central Oklahoma
F: Mikayla Lowery, Sr., Central Oklahoma
F: Julia Mathis, Sr., Northeastern State

Honorable Mention
Central Oklahoma: Camille Greer, MF
Emporia State: Bethany Reeves, GK
Fort Hays State: Taryn Schnell, D
Lindenwood: Katie Juhlin, D; Alaina White, D
Missouri Western: Bailey Ketcham, D; Paige Phipps, D; Ashlyn Powers, D
Nebraska-Kearney: Kelsie Ienn, D; Marika Van Brocklin, D; Molly Willis, D; Kaitlyn Pawloski, MF; Tori Weber, MF
Northeastern State: Meg Smith, GK; Mariah Nicolet, F
Northwest Missouri: Annie Poelzl, D; Mollie Holtman, F
Southwest Baptist: Tessa Wagner, D; AC Pettit, MF; Raegan Edwards, F
Washburn: Mackenzie Heiman, D; Presley Wiggins, D; Olivia Grasso, MF; Ellie Karloff, F; Emily Stauffer, F; Paige Swanson, F

The Fort Hays State football team jumped one spot to No. 7 this week in the D2Football.com poll, released late Monday (Oct. 31). It was the eighth consecutive week the Tigers have climbed in the media rankings.

The Tigers jumped Northwest Missouri State, who fell from No. 1 to No. 8 after losing to Pittsburg State Saturday. Fort Hays State will face off with the Bearcats this weekend in Maryville, Mo., with a chance to secure its first MIAA Championship. The Tigers and Bearcats are the only two MIAA representatives in this week’s poll.

Super Region 3 is well-represented in the poll, with six teams ranked in the top 13. Included in that mix is third-ranked Ashland, sixth-ranked Ferris State, FHSU,NWMSU, 10th-ranked Indianapolis and No. 13 Grand Valley State.

Two teams ranked in front of Fort Hays State have one loss in regional rivals Ashland and Ferris State. All 10 undefeated teams remaining in Division II are listed in the poll. Indiana (Pa.) tops the poll after being listed second last week.

Below is the D2Football.com Poll for October 31, 2017.

Team		Record	Previous
1	Indiana (Pa.)	9-0	2
2	Minnesota State	9-0	3
3	Ashland	8-1	4
4	Shepherd	8-0	5
5	Midwestern State	7-0	6
6	Ferris State	7-1	7
7	Fort Hays State	9-0	8
8	Northwest Missouri State	8-1	1
9	Texas A&M-Commerce	7-1	9
10	Indianapolis	9-0	10
11	Central Washington	9-0	12
12	Sioux Falls	8-1	13
13	Grand Valley State	7-2	14
14	Assumption	8-0	15
15	Wingate	8-0	16
16	Winona State	8-1	11
17	Virginia State	8-0	18
18	Colorado Mesa	8-1	19
19	West Georgia	7-2	20
20	Humboldt State	7-1	21
21	CSU-Pueblo	7-2	22
22	West Alabama	7-2	23
23	Minnesota Duluth	7-2	24
24	California	7-2	25
25	Findlay	8-1	NR

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State senior midfielder Derick Gonzalez has been named MIAA Men’s Soccer Athlete of the Week, announced Tuesday (Oct. 31) by the league office. It is the second time this season Gonzalez has achieved the honor.

Gonzalez had another strong weekend for the Tigers, helping Fort Hays State clinch at least a share of its first MIAA Championship. The Houston, Texas native recorded one goal and two assists in Thursday’s (Oct. 26) 5-2 win over Upper Iowa before recording the assist on a fantastic touch pass, setting up the lone goal in Sunday’s (Oct. 29) 1-0 win against Lindenwood. Gonzalez has now recorded a point in 14 consecutive matches, extending his school record. He attempted six shots on the weekend, two of which were on goal.

The Tigers will wrap up the regular season on Saturday (Nov. 4) when the host the University of Mary. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Fort Hays State will celebrate Gonzalez and the other four seniors on this year’s team with a Senior Night ceremony.

Fort Hays State Weekly Football Press Conference
October 31, 2017

Fort Hays State head coach Chris Brown conducted his weekly press conference in advance of the Tigers road game with Northwest Missouri State on Saturday afternoon in Maryville, Missouri.

Brown and select players met with the media inside Lewis Field on Tuesday, a session that can be heard by clicking on the links below.

Head Coach Chris Brown

Sophomore Defensive Back Tanner Hoekman

Junior Defensive Back Doyin Jibowu

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State senior running back Kenneth Iheme has been named MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week, announced Monday by the league office (Oct. 30). It is the second time Iheme has earned the distinction this season, and the ninth time a Tiger has received a conference player of the week award this year, four more than any other school (Pittsburg State).

Iheme picked up 208 all-purpose yards in Saturday’s 34-7 win against Emporia State. The Wichita, Kan. native rushed for 146 yards, his fifth straight 100-yard performance on the ground, while grabbing seven catches for 62 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 7.3 yards per rush and 8.9 yards per catch, including a 54-yard burst with the Tigers backed up at their own 1-yard line and a 25-yard touchdown grab after making multiple Hornet defenders miss. Iheme now has 1,029 rushing yards through nine games this season, turning in the 20th 1000-yard season on the ground in FHSU history.

Safety Josh Hornback of Pittsburg State and linebacker Roc Robbins of Missouri Southern joined Iheme in earning MIAA Player of the Week honors for week nine.

The Tigers have now had honorees in eight of nine weeks this season, including Jacob Mezera (Week 1 Offensive Athlete of the Week), Brandon Brown (Weeks 1, 4, and 7 Special Teams Athlete of the Week), Nathan Shepherd (Week 2 Defensive Athlete of the Week), Monterio Burchfield (Week 3 Offensive Athlete of the Week), Jose Delgado (Week 5 Defensive Athlete of the Week), and Iheme (Weeks 6 and 9 Offensive Athlete of the Week).

Iheme will look to continue his strong season Saturday (Nov. 4) when the 6th-ranked Tigers head to Maryville, Mo. to face off with 8th-ranked Northwest Missouri State. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. inside Bearcat Stadium.