FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. – Five different Tigers found the back including two from Mario Leal Vales and the No. 21 Fort Hays State men's soccer team cruised to a commanding 6-1 victory over Great American Conference opponent Northeastern State Saturday afternoon at the FHSU Soccer Stadium..
With the win, the Tigers improved to 4-3-1 overall and secured their first conference victory of the season, now 1-2 in GAC play. The RiverHawks dropped to 2-5-3 overall and 2-2 in GAC play.
Northeastern State struck first, earning a penalty kick just 30 seconds into the match. That would be the only ball to get past Tiger goalkeeper Wouter Van der Borch, as the defense locked down and held the RiverHawks without a shot for the rest of the first half.
Fort Hays responded quickly to equalize when Jeremiah Johnson's cross found the head of Leal Vales for the first Tiger goal. From there, the FHSU seized control of the match, dominating possession. In the 14th minute, Leal Vales delivered a cross into the box that Bryce Dickerson skillfully redirected to Harrison Bensouda, who finished with a brilliant touch. The Tigers added another in the 39th minute when Van der Borch launched a long ball from the box to Tadgh Walsh, who fed Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye for a quick finish. Moments later, freshman Devon Rutschmann placed a perfect corner kick to set up a Dickerson goal. With an 11-1 shot advantage by halftime, the Tigers entered the break with a commanding 4-1 lead.
The Tigers wasted no time in the second half, as Leal Vales scored his second goal just a minute into play after receiving a pass from Rutschmann. Fort Hays maintained their grip on the match, outshooting Northeastern State 6-3 in the second half. The final goal came in the 85th minute when Wouter Hopman threaded a perfect pass to Jeroen Vievermans, who slotted the ball past the diving keeper to cap off the dominant performance.
Alongside the offensive explosion, the Tigers displayed a stout defensive effort, limiting Northeastern State to just two shots on goal.
UP NEXT
The Tigers now turn their attention to next week's road trip to Arkansas, where they will face Ouachita Baptist on Thursday and then Harding on Saturday.