The No. 16 ranked Fort Hays State women's soccer team looks to remain unbeaten this weekend with a pair of non-conference home matches against familiar foes. First the Tigers take on Nebraska-Kearney on Friday (Sept. 16) at 7 pm before rounding out the weekend with Emporia State on Sunday (Sept. 18) at 2 pm. The first meetings of the season with Nebraska-Kearney, Emporia State, and Washburn will be non-conference matches before entering the MIAA schedule.
Fort Hays State is off to the best start in program history at 4-0 and has not shown signs of slowing down. The Tigers are coming off of a record-setting performance over Northwestern Oklahoma State when they set a program record in goals (9), assists (8), and points (17). As expected, defense has been the Tigers' strength so far. The back line has allowed just one goal (a penalty kick) and opponents have been limited to 17 shots all season, only five of which were on goal.
The Tiger offense has been phenomenal this season scoring three or more goals in three of four matches.
Eden Stoddard leads the team with five goals,
Kelsey Steffens and
Thalya Dwyer have three a piece, and
Kylie Thomas has two. Four other tigers have chipped in with goals helping FHSU to 4.25 goal per match average.
Nebraska-Kearney comes to Hays toting a 2-2 record early in 2016. The Lopers have struggled offensively, having only scored three goals in four matches. Leading the way is Megan Markel who has a goal and an assist.
Emporia State currently sits at 1-2-1 to start the season and takes on Washburn in another non-conference match before heading to Hays on Sunday. The Hornets had a tough start to the year as they were shutout in their first three games. The offense exploded in the fourth match as they managed to find the back of the net five times against UC-Colorado Springs on Sunday (Sept. 11). Defensively the Hornets are sound, having allowed just three goals all season.
