FHSU Athletics
SEARCY, Ark. - Fort Hays State defeated Harding 2-0 on Thursday, which gave head coach Alex Nichols his 200th win as a collegiate head men's soccer coach. He is in his 13th year overall and now has a career record of 200-44-24. The Tigers moved to 5-1-2 overall with the result and 3-0 in GAC play. Harding fell to 0-8 overall and 0-2 in the GAC.
Fort Hays State had plentiful offensive opportunities, finishing with a 30-4 shot advantage. The Tigers held Harding to just one shot on goal, saved by Payton Roehrich.
Fort Hays State controlled first-half chances, outshooting Harding 17-1. JJ Espinosa scored his first goal as a Tiger in the 11th minute off assists from Francisco Degiorgi and Julius Petersson. FHSU took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
The Tigers outshot the Bisons 13-3 in the second half. FHSU finished with a 9-3 advantage overall in corner kicks. Mario Leal Vales scored the insurance goal for FHSU in the 74th minute off a nice pass into the box from Daniel Granado.
Roehrich picked up a combined shutout in goal, yielding to Marco Rosa for the final 14 minutes after the Tigers took a two-goal lead. Harding keeper Andrew Wagenblatt recorded four saves for the match.
Fort Hays State wraps up its road swing to Arkansas on Saturday (Sept. 26) with a GAC contest at Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia. The match is set for 11 a.m.
Top Performers
JJ Espinosa – 1 game-winning goal
Mario Leal Vales - 1 goal
Francisco Degiorgi - 1assist
Daniel Granado – 1 assist
Julius Petersson – 1 assist
Payton Roehrich - 1 save, 0 goals allowed