Fort Hays State Men's Soccer is gearing up for a crucial set of contests in Arkansas this week, with a matchup against Ouachita Baptist on Thursday (Sept. 28) at 4 p.m. in Arkadelphia, followed by a clash against Harding on Saturday (Sept. 30) at 11 a.m. in Searcy. Despite a challenging start to the season, the Tigers remain determined to make their mark in the Great American Conference (GAC). 
 
The Tigers enter Thursday's contest with a 2-5-0 overall record and 1-1 in conference play. Their most recent outing on the road against Southern Nazarene resulted in a loss, but the team is eager to rebound in conference play. So far this season, Fort Hays State has shown promise, netting nine goals in seven matches and maintaining an impressive .447 shots on goal percentage. Leading the charge in scoring is Blake Arndt, who currently ranks seventh in the GAC with three goals. Collin Hershberger and Alex Plimmer have both contributed with two goals each. The Tigers have also displayed some chemistry, registering 10 assists in total, with Plimmer leading the team in this category with two. 
 
On the other side of the field, Ouachita Baptist enters the matchup with a record of 0-3-2 (0-1-0 GAC) for the season. They have only scored three goals thus far, placing them at the bottom of the GAC. Grant Isbell and Marshall Prather have been their primary offensive threats, with four shots on goal each. Historically, Fort Hays State is still unbeaten against Ouachita Baptist, boasting a 5-0-2 record in their previous encounters. However, the Tigers had a challenging 0-0 tie against Ouachita Baptist last year in Arkadelphia and split the season series with a 4-0 win in Hays. 
 
Meanwhile, Harding owns a record of 3-4-1 (1-1-0 GAC), coming off a tough 0-2 loss to Northeastern State in Oklahoma. Before taking on the Tigers, they will face Newman at home on Thursday. Harding goalkeepers lead the GAC in saves with a total of 41. Camilo Porto is a key player to watch for Harding, with four goals on 12 shots. The team has demonstrated effective ball movement, with four players contributing two assists each. In previous matchups between the two teams, the Tigers hold a commanding 12-2-0 advantage over the Bisons, although they did suffer a loss during their last encounter in Arkansas and tied the 2022 season series.
 
Live video and stats will be available for both contests.