FHSU Athletics
KEARNEY, Neb. - Fort Hays State wrapped its regular season on Wednesday night with a 2-1 loss at Nebraska-Kearney. The Tigers ended regular season play with an overall record of 7-7-4, while finishing 4-6-2 in MIAA play. The Lopers wrapped their regular season at 8-5-5 overall and went 4-5-3 in the MIAA. Both FHSU and UNK locked up MIAA Tournament berths on Wednesday.
The Lopers struck early with Hanna Schimmer scoring in the 6th minute. Schimmer received an assist from Ivana Siles and Kea Barnes. UNK went on to lead 1-0 at halftime even though an active Tiger offense fired off eight shots.
Schimmer found the back of the net for a second time in the 59th minute, doubling the Lopers' lead to 2-0 with an assist from Daniella Iaquinta. FHSU continued to battle and in the 65th minute, Montserrat Diaz narrowed the deficit, netting her second goal of the season with a header in the box off a corner kick assist from Gracen Chaney. Despite seven corner kick opportunities in the second half, FHSU could not find the equalizer as Loper goalkeeper Susie Bovaird made 11 saves in the match.
The Tigers outshot the Lopers 19-9 and had all seven corner kick opportunities in the match. Sydney Cotter led the Tigers with four shots, including three on target, while Chaney, Allison Worley, and Taylor Hill each added three shots. In goal, Mackenzie Caldwell made five saves on nine shots faced.
Fort Hays State will be on the road for the opening round of the MIAA Tournament on Sunday. The Tigers finished in a three-way tie for eighth with Pittsburg State and Emporia State, but had the tiebreaker for the final spot in the tournament with a 1-0-1 record in head-to-head competition with the group. PSU was 1-1-0 and ESU was 0-1-1. The Tigers continue their streak of qualifying for the MIAA Tournament every year since 2014.
UNK moved up to seventh in the standings with the result on Wednesday night, making the MIAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.