The Fort Hays State women's soccer team starts the NCAA Tournament with a match against Central Oklahoma on Friday at 1 p.m. in Mankato, Minn. The Tigers earned the No. 6 seed in the Central Regional and take on No. 3 seed UCO.
The match is the first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance for the FHSU women's soccer team, which is in the program's second year of existence. The Tigers enter the tournament with a 14-6-1 record, including a five-match winning streak.
The winner of Friday's match takes on No. 2 seed and host Minnesota State-Mankato, which had a bye to the second round. Along with FHSU, UCO and MSU, the other side of the bracket is No. 1 seed Central Missouri, No. 4 Southwestern Oklahoma State and No. 5 Minot State.
In the most recent matchup between FHSU and UCO, the Tigers won 2-1 in double overtime in the MIAA Tournament Semifinals. After the win over the Bronchos, FHSU defeated Central Missouri, 2-1, in double overtime to win the MIAA Tournament Championship and earn the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. FHSU is 1-1 against Central Oklahoma this season with the loss during the regular season, 2-0, in Edmond, Okla.
If the Tigers win on against UCO, FHSU takes on Minnesota State-Mankato on Sunday (Nov. 11) at 1 p.m.
