FHSU Athletics
DODGE CITY, Kan. - The 13th-ranked Fort Hays State men's soccer team fell to West Texas A&M in the resumption of their suspended match Monday, losing 1-0. The Tigers (7-2-2, 5-0 GAC) outshot the Buffs (4-6-2, 1-1-2 LSC) 6-3 over the final 39 minutes and change, but a goal in transition with less than five minutes remaining gave WTAMU the win.
Playing a man up after a Buff was assessed a red card in the original match on September 10, the Tigers applied pressure for most of the afternoon, maintaining possession for 66 percent of the second half. The WTAMU back line stood strong, allowing only one Tiger shot attempt over the first 25 minutes of the restart.
The Tigers had a good look at goal in the 81st minute when a Buff defender committed a handball mere inches outside the 18-yard box, but a pair of shots from Len Valkema went into the wall and were blocked away. A Franchesco Valenti header from close range was saved one minute later, before the Buff keeper made a diving stop on a long-range effort from Julius Petersson with five minutes to play.
The Buffaloes broke through in the 86th minute after winning a ball in the defensive midfield and sending a through ball toward the box. D'Jonte Davis beat his defender to the ball and beat the keeper in a one-on-one to score the go-ahead goal.
After WTAMU's Oumar Berete collected his second yellow card of the match during the celebration, the Tigers played the final four-plus minutes with a two-man advantage. But FHSU could only muster one shot attempt by Juan Linares which was saved by Bryce Cottle for his sixth save of the match.
Still riding a 27-match conference unbeaten streak, the Tigers will return home to take on Newman Thursday (Oct. 8) beginning at 7 p.m.