FHSU Athletics
BETHANY, Okla. - The No. 17 ranked Fort Hays State men's soccer team faced No. 22 ranked Southern Nazarene on Saturday in Bethany, Okla. FHSU held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but saw SNU get past with three goals in the final 25 minutes of the match. FHSU moved to 3-2-1 overall, 0-1 GAC, while SNU moved to 4-3-1, 1-1 GAC.
The first half saw solid defensive efforts from both teams, keeping the scoreboard empty until the final minute of play. Bryce Dickerson broke the deadlock with a clinical finish, scoring the team's only goal. Harrison Bensouda delivered a cross into the box, where a scramble ensued before Dickerson got a decisive touch on the ball. It was Dickerson's second goal of the season. Southern Nazarene came out strong in the second half, creating multiple offensive opportunities. SNU's persistence paid off when they earned a penalty kick after drawing a foul inside the box on a breakaway. Axel Agurcia converted the penalty kick, leveling the score. The penalty came at a price for the Tigers too as a pair of yellow cards for Dimitry Tchantcheu turned red. Much like the 3-1 loss to a ranked Midwestern State team a week prior, the Tigers had to play a man down the remainder of the match and could not keep the game level after the penalty kick.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, the Crimson Storm seized another opportunity. After a ricocheted shot, Unaiz Shajani reacted quickly, pouncing on the loose ball and slotting it into the net, giving Southern Nazarene a 2-1 lead. SNU later notched an insurance goal off an initial save by Ben Dixon, resulting in Shajani's second goal of the game.
Despite a strong performance Dixon in goal, who recorded seven saves, the Tigers could not contain the Crimson Storm offense late.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will look to bounce back when they return home to Hays for a pair of GAC matchups, facing Rogers State on Thursday (Oct. 3) and Northeastern State on Saturday (Oct. 5).