FHSU Athletics
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State women's soccer team was ranked seventh in the 2022 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday (Aug. 12) by the league office.
The Tigers accumulated 61 points in the balloting process, one more than eighth-place Washburn and just six behind sixth-place Northeastern State.
Fort Hays State finished eighth in the league standings a year ago, reaching the MIAA championship tournament for the seventh season in a row. The Tigers turned in a record of 8-8-3 overall in 2021, including a 5-6 mark in league contests. All but one of those conference losses were by just one goal.
Central Missouri topped the poll with 121 points after winning the 2021 regular season conference title and reaching the NCAA DII national quarterfinals. Emporia State, last season's conference tournament winners, were second in the poll with 105 points, followed closely by Central Oklahoma in third with 103 points.
The Tigers are entering a new era in 2022 with new head coach Tyson John, who was introduced as the third coach in program history in March. John's first Tiger roster includes 14 returners, six of which started in at least half of last season's matches, and 12 newcomers, including four transfers and eight true freshmen. Two returners have earned All-MIAA status in the past, including second team status for midfielder Emily Hutchings a year ago and back-to-back recognitions for defender Reilly Madden (2021 third team, spring 2021 first team).
The squad is slated to play nine matches at home and nine on the road this fall, including a pair of contests in Sioux Falls, S.D. against Sioux Falls and Augustana to kick off the regular season later this month (Aug. 26-28). The Tigers will then make their home debut the following weekend (Sept. 3, 12 p.m.) against Wayne State before their 11-match conference slate begins on September 18 at home against in-state rival Emporia State.
2022 MIAA Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1) Central Missouri - 121 Points [11 First-Place Votes]
2) Emporia State - 105 Points [1 First-Place Vote]
3) Central Oklahoma - 103 Points
4) Northwest Missouri - 93 Points
5) Missouri Western - 75 Points
6) Northeastern State - 66 Points
7) Fort Hays State - 61 Points
8) Washburn - 60 Points
9) Rogers State - 43 Points
10) Missouri Southern - 30 Points
11) Newman - 22 Points
12) Nebraska Kearney - 13 Points