Fort Hays State women's soccer kicks off the 2016 with three road games this Labor Day weekend. First, the Tigers will play a pair of matches in Marshall, Minnesota where they take on Southwest Minnesota State on Thursday (Sept. 1) and then Upper Iowa on Saturday (Sept. 3). Rounding out the holiday weekend, FHSU heads to Sioux Falls, S.D. for a neutral-site match against Minot State on Monday (Sept. 5). All three matches begin at 11 am.



In 2015 the Tigers finished the season fourth in the MIAA and had an overall record of 11-8-1. Defense was the backbone last season as FHSU allowed only 18 goals in 20 matches. This year they are looking to do much of the same, returning two All-MIAA defenders from that squad in CheyAnn Queener and Hannah Smith, as well as All-MIAA goalkeeper Kristen Thompson. Other All-MIAA returners from 2015 are forward Kelsey Steffens and midfielder Jasmine Beaulieu.

The season opener against Southwest Minnesota State is becoming a mainstay for the Tigers as they have opened the prior three seasons against the Mustangs. FHSU has won the last two meetings with SMSU. SMSU finished last season with an 8-9-2 overall record and seventh place finish in the NSIC.

Upper Iowa defeated the Tigers 2015 by the score of 2-1, and ended the season 7-5-2 overall. The Peacocks take on Washburn University on Wednesday before going up against FHSU on Saturday.

Minot State enters the season picked fourth in the NSIC after a 16-5-1 overall record in 2015. Last season the Beavers defeated the Tigers 1-0 with a goal in the 84^th minute. Minot State opens the season against Black Hills State Wednesday (Sept. 1) before taking on the Tigers.