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The 24^th-ranked Fort Hays State women's soccer team takes the pitch in Allendale, Michigan on Friday (Nov. 18) in its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Central Region Championship match. Kickoff is set for 6:30 pm CT/7:30 pm ET. The Tigers (15-4-3 overall) will be facing No. 3 ranked Central Missouri (20-1 overall).
 
The Tigers and Jennies were crowned Co-MIAA Regular Season Champions this year after each squad went 10-1 in conference play. FHSU dropped the only meeting of the season to UCM in a well-fought 1-0 defensive battle on October 2.
 
To reach this point, No. 3 seeded FHSU knocked off No. 6 seed Harding University by the score of 3-1 on Friday (Nov. 11). FHSU then advanced to the regional championship with a 4-2 shootout victory following a 2-2 tie with No. 2 seed Minnesota State on Sunday (Nov. 13). The winner of Friday's contest between the Tigers and No. 1 seeded Jennies will face the Midwest Region champion, either Grand Valley State or Truman on Sunday (Nov. 20) at 12 pm CT/1 pm ET.
 
During the regular season, the back line was the strength of the Tigers all year long. In the post season, however, the FHSU offense is taking the reins and shows the team can win either way. In the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament FHSU is averaging 2.5 goals per game and has fired a total of 34 shots, with 13 on net.
 
Leading the way for the Tigers is junior Thalya Dwyer who has two goals this post season to go with her seven regular season goals. Dwyer also played a big role in the shootout decision over Minnesota State as she buried the clinching shot of the shootout. Regan Lawler has also been a key contributor to the Tiger offense from her defender position, chipping in a goal and an assist in the tournament. Dani Harris has two assists in the NCAA Tournament, while Hannah Smith and Silvana Romero each have one goal. Kelsey Steffens and Darby Hirsch have each recorded an assist.
 
Abbie Flax has been great between the pipes all season long for FHSU. Flax is currently tied for the most wins (13) in a season by any keeper in program history. She is also tied for the top spot in single-season shutouts with 11. She was a huge factor in the Tigers advancing to the Central Region Final as she made two diving saves in the shootout with the Mavericks.
 
Central Missouri has been one of the top teams in the country this season due to its strong defense. The Jennies are currently the best team in the nation when preventing opponents from scoring allowing just four goals all season, with three of the four against Central Oklahoma (the only team to defeat UCM this year). Missouri Western was the only other team to score on UCM. The Jennies have 18 shutouts as a team this year.
 
The Jennies have a strong offense too, finding the back of the net 61 times this year. The 2.86 goals per game ranks eighth in the nation. Leading the charge for UCM is the reigning MIAA Offensive Player of the Year Jada Scott. Scott has 16 goals and 8 assists for an MIAA-leading 40 points. Hannah Pyle has also been a force on the offensive end for UCM, tallying 26 points (10 goals, 6 asssists).