KEARNEY, Neb. - The Fort Hays State women's soccer team is coming home with a much-needed 3-1 victory over Nebraska-Kearney on Friday.
FHSU netted two goals in the first half and one in the second to seal the victory. The Tigers improved to 7-7-3 overall and 4-6 in conference play, while the Lopers fell to 2-15 overall and 1-9 in the MIAA.
The Tigers got on the board early when Jordan Thompson netted her fourth goal of the season off of a short pass from Amanda Rapaduski in the fourth minute of action. The Lopers would respond in the 17th minute by arching a shot into the top left of the net. The Tigers were able to regain the lead at the end of the first half as Cailey Perkins received a pass from Hannah Mares in the 37th minute and placed a nice shot to the upper right corner of the net.
The Tigers sealed their victory in the second half with a score from Emily Hutchings when she received a through pass from Amanda Rapuduski, tapping in her first goal of the season past the goalkeeper. The Tigers finished with 18 shots and put 12 of those on target compared to only three shots by the Lopers, all of which were on target. The Lopers recorded nine saves compared to two by Tiger keeper Deonna Wellbrock.
Fort Hays State wraps up the regular season by hosting Washburn for Senior Day on Sunday with kickoff scheduled for 1 pm. The Tigers can qualify for the MIAA Tournament, potentially as the No. 7 or No. 8 seed, but must avoid finishing in a tie for eighth with Rogers State. Both are tied for eighth right now in the standings at 4-6. Both FHSU and Rogers State hold a head-to-head tiebreak with Northeastern State, which currently sits in seventh at 4-5-1.