HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men's soccer team began their 2018 campaign on a high note, scoring two goals in the second half to defeat McKendree University 2-1 at FHSU Soccer Stadium Friday evening (Aug. 31). The Tigers start off the year 1-0 overall, while the Bearcats dip to 0-1 on the young season.
 
The Tigers and Bearcats traded shots back-and-forth for the majority of the first half before McKendree struck first with a goal from Eddie Davis, giving them the 1-0 advantage in the 38^th minute. Fort Hays State was only able to get one more shot off before intermission as the Tigers trailed the Bearcats 1-0 heading into halftime.
 
McKendree was cruising through the second half until the 60^th minute in the contest as Matthew Moran picked up a red card and the Bearcats had to finish the rest of the match down one man. Junior forward Santiago Agudelo took the penalty shot for the Tigers but was unable to kick the ball through the scoring threshold. Immediately after the PK, Agudelo was able to slip past the Bearcats defense with a header, but again couldn't find the back of the net.
 
With the Bearcats down to 10 total players on the pitch, FHSU took advantage and connected on the equalizer when Caesar Jones accepted a pass from Ross Boyd and drilled a shot into the back-left corner of the net in the 62^nd minute of the contest.
 
The Tigers then took six shots in a span of 20 minutes before Sergio Villalba placed a free kick into the box setting up Agudelo with a header, tipping the ball into the back-right corner of the net for the 2-1 Tiger lead. The Tigers never looked back as the time in regulation ran out for Fort Hays State's first victory of the young season.
 
FHSU outshot McKendree 18-7 on the night, with a 6-2 Tiger advantage in shots on goal. Cullen Fisch earned the victory in goal for the Tigers.
 
The Tigers will be back in action on Sunday (Sept. 2) when they travel to Kansas City, Mo., to take on No. 3 Rockhurst University for an afternoon showdown slated at 3:30 p.m. at Bourke Field.