Women’s soccer begins conference play

Fort Hays State University women’s soccer opened up Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play with a win and a tie over the weekend.

“The results are good,” said Craig Shaw, head coach. “We’re in the third spot in the conference right now, but we need to play better.”

Shaw was very impressed with the defensive play by the Tigers (3-2-1, 1-0-1 MIAA), who posted clean sheet performances against two of the better teams in the conference.

“I’m more impressed with how we reacted defensively,” Shaw said. “Going from the weekend in Colorado where we didn’t play well defensively, to getting two clean sheets.”

On Sunday, the Tigers played Emporia State University (3-1-2, 0-0-2 MIAA) to a double overtime draw in which neither team could score a goal.

“Very impressed with the defense,” Shaw said. “They had to deal with a lot of physical players and some good attacking players.”

In the game against the Hornets, a 20 minute span allowed the Tigers five shots on goal; however, none of the shots scored.

“We just needed a little better composure in the final third from the midfielders and forwards,” Shaw said. “A little more composure, relaxing and not panicking.”

In the game, redshirt goalkeeper Kristen Thompson, Manhattan, Kan., freshman, made six saves in a complete game performance. It was her third shutout of the season.

The Tigers picked up a conference win last Friday against University of Nebraska-Kearney (1-3-1, 1-1-0 MIAA), which snapped a two game losing streak.

“We fought really hard to get that double overtime win against Kearney,” Shaw said.

The Tiger offense struggled through the first half and second half of the game. They were unable to get a single shot off in the first half, and succeeded in only one shot the second half. The second half shot was a header by midfielder Cenayda Guzman, Oklahoma City, Okla.,junior.

In the second overtime nearing the end, forward Kelsey Steffens, forward, Greeley, Colo., found forward Hailey Davey, Evergreen, Colo., senior, who landed the shot in the top left corner for the winning goal.

“It was a great finish,” Shaw said. “She’s a lot more relaxed in front of goals.”

It was Davey’s second goal of the season and Steffen’s second assist of the season.

The Lady Tiger’s next four matches will be away starting on Thursday at Bolivar, MO. with Southwest Baptist University (4-1, 2-0 MIAA), who already has a win over a top 10 team this season.

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