FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – The 16th-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team picked up their fifth straight win on Friday (Oct. 7) with a 2-1 double overtime victory over Upper Iowa. With the win the Tigers improved to 7-2-1 overall on the season and 3-0 in the MIAA. The Peacocks moved to 3-7 overall and 1-3 in the MIAA.
After a scoreless first half, the Tigers got on the board first in the 55th minute when Luis Torres found the back of the net. Mauricio Castorino sent a corner kick into the box for FHSU that Luiz Mendes deflected to Torres right in front of the net. Torres beat the diving Peacock keeper to the lower left for his fifth goal of the season.
Upper Iowa found the equalizer late in the game when Blair Lyons struck for his fourth goal of the year. With 6:38 left in regulation Ruairidh Crawford sent a lob into the Tiger box. Lyons managed to get his foot up and volley it over the Tiger keeper pushing the score to 1-1.
With the score still knotted at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the fans at FHSU Soccer Stadium were treated to some free soccer. In overtime FHSU had full control of the match registering four shots in the first ten minutes and allowed none to the Peacocks. Despite not finding the net in the first overtime, the Tigers kept the pressure up and once again outshot UIU in the second overtime 4-0.
The decisive moment in the game came when Mauricio Castorino was battling for a ball in the Peacock box and was taken down hard forcing a penalty shot. With 4:40 left in the game, Maurizio Costa delivered the final blow when he rifled the try past the diving keeper to claim the match for FHSU.
Michael Yantz picked up the win in net for the Tigers and is now 5-2-1 on the season, saving one of just two shots on goal by the Peacocks.
The Tigers are back in action on Sunday (Oct. 9) in a battle of undefeated teams in the MIAA. The No. 16 ranked Tigers take on No. 22 ranked Lindenwood at 2 pm in Hays. Both are 3-0 in the MIAA.