HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State women's soccer team took care of business in their first home conference match on Friday (Sept. 29) against Northwest Missouri State. The Tigers defeated the Bearcats by a score of 1-0 to improve to 6-1-2, 2-0 in MIAA play, while the Bearcats fell to 3-4-2, 0-2 in conference play. Fort Hays State got on the board early and used their defense the rest of the way to secure the victory.
 
Despite the harsh headwinds early on, Fort Hays State was able to put together a great possession in the 3' of play. Claire Gaeth and Sullivan Kelly were able to maneuver the ball up to Gracen Chaney who slid to the left side of the box. Chaney perfectly executed a lob shot into the wind and over the Northwest keeper for the lone goal of the match and her first goal of the season.
 
The Tigers kept with the trend of playing solid defense on Friday night. Fort Hays State has surrendered the second fewest number of goals in the conference with just five through nine matches. The defense did not allow many easy looks at all, even when the Bearcats had the benefit of the wind in the first period. The Bearcats were held to four shots in the first period, none of which were on target, and only three shots in the second period.
 
Keeper Isabel Robben notched two saves on the match, one being a one-handed diving save to preserve the lead in the second half.  
 
Fort Hays State stays atop of the MIAA conference standings alongside Washburn.
 
The Tigers will be back in action to finish the weekend against Missouri Western on Sunday (Oct. 1) with first kick slated for 2 p.m.