The Fort Hays State women's soccer squad opens its 2012 home schedule on Wednesday (Sept. 5) at 7 p.m. at the FHSU Soccer Stadium. The Tigers open their home slate with a matchup against the Bulldogs of McPherson College. Tickets for the 2012 season are $5 for adults and $3 for children K-12. Fort Hays State students are free with their student ID. No dogs are allowed inside the FHSU Soccer Stadium.
 
FHSU opened the 2012 campaign, its second season in school history, on the road in Colorado. The Tigers suffered a tough loss in the opener, falling 1-0 to UC-Colorado Springs on an own goal. Fort Hays State finished the Colorado trip with a 1-0 overtime win over CSU-Pueblo. Two freshmen gave the Tigers the win less than five minutes into overtime as Kylie Watson knocked in a pass from Jordan Hester.
 
Although the Tigers are 1-1, FHSU has dominated statistically through the two games. The Tigers have almost doubled up their opponent in shots, averaging 24.0 per game to 14.0 by the opposition. The shots have put pressure on the goalkeepers as opponents have 20 saves compared to nine for the Tigers. FHSU goalkeepers have only allowed one goal, an own goal in the two games. Nicole Barnaba is 1-0 with one shutout, going 94:44 minutes in the 1-0 win over CSU-Pueblo and making five saves. Rachael Schaad made the start in the opener, making four saves in 90 minutes and only allowing the own goal.
 
While the defense has been strong, the Tiger offense has sputtered so far in 2012, scoring only one goal in the two games. Kylie Watson currently leads the Tigers with the one goal, and Jordan Hester leads with one assists. The offense also returns two All-MIAA performers: Cindy Benitez and Joanne Glynn. Glynn led the Tigers in 2011 with nine goals, while Benitez led in assists with six. The duo tied for the lead in points with 20.
 
The Tigers and Bulldogs played in 2011 as FHSU shutout McPherson, 3-0, limiting the Bulldogs to six shots, while the Tigers totaled 22, including 15 on goal. Current Tigers Jamie Babyak and Cindy Benitez scored in that game.
 
The Bulldogs are currently 0-0-1, tying 0-0 to York College (Neb.) in their season opener. A season ago, McPherson College finished 10-9-1.