FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. - The fourth-ranked Fort Hays State men's soccer team used a second half rally to claim the 2025 GAC/MIAA Championship Saturday afternoon (Nov. 15), maintaining its undefeated season with a 2-1 win over No. 13 Rogers State.
This is the seventh conference trophy earned by the Tigers (17-0-3), including four regular season championships and three tournament titles. However, it is the first time Fort Hays State has won both the regular season and tournament titles in a single season.
Fort Hays State controlled much of the first half, generating multiple scoring opportunities, but was unable to capitalize. Bastian Carlman and Juan Linares both tested RSU's (12-3-5) goalkeeper Jaxon Kendall early, but the Hillcat keeper made both saves to keep the match scoreless. Despite the Tigers' advantage in shot attempts and two corner kicks, the Hillcats found the breakthrough with a goal by Noah Preston-Watkins in the 42nd minute on their first shot attempt of the match.
After heading to the locker room trailing 1-0, Fort Hays State took advantage of multiple scoring opportunities in the second half. Conference offensive player of the year Elias Ovelar Semeniuk leveled the score in the 65th minute with assists from Harrison Bensouda and Jackson Elgas. The Tigers then took the lead 14 minutes later when Linares netted the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute.
The home team effectively managed to hold Rogers State scoreless in the half, despite a late shot attempt by Ashton Medina that was off target. Payton Roehrich made a crucial save late in a one-on-one situation to keep the Tigers in front and secure the victory.
Five Tigers were named to the All-Touranament team, including Tournament MVP Tonnes Daland. Other All-Tournament honorees included Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye, Joseph Street, Tadhg Walsh and Semeniuk.
In the process the Tigers claimed the GAC's automatic bid into the 2025 NCAA Division II Championship, slated to begin next Friday (Nov. 21). This year's championship bracket will be revealed Monday evening (Nov. 17) via a selection show that will air on NCAA.com at 6 p.m. CT.
Fort Hays State entered the weekend as the top-ranked team in the Super Region 3 rankings. The top six teams in the region will open the postseason in the second round next Sunday (Nov. 23), while the seven through 10 seeds will play in the first round two days prior. Now just in the 15th year of the program, this will be Fort Hays State's 11th trip to the NCAA tournament.
All-Tournament Team
Tournament MVP - Tonnes Daland - Fort Hays State
Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye - Fort Hays State
Elias Ovelar Semeniuk - Fort Hays State
Joseph Street - Fort Hays State
Tadhg Walsh - Fort Hays State
Tom Dixon - Rogers State
Alex Fletcher - Rogers State
Jaxon Kendall - Rogers State
Gabriel Dias Juliani - Newman
Francisco Pinochet - Newman
Carter Adams - Northeastern State
Carl Murch - Northeastern State