The No. 17-ranked Fort Hays State University Men's Soccer team is set to begin Great American Conference (GAC) play this weekend when they face the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm in Bethany, Okla. The match is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, at 2 p.m.

The Tigers enter conference play with a solid record of 3-1-1, following a 2-2 tie in their last outing against Eastern New Mexico. Fort Hays State ranks fifth in the nation in shots per match (18.2), while averaging 2.2 goals per match. The Tigers have found the back of the net in the first half of every match so far this season.

Freshman Bastian Carlman leads the Tigers with three goals, which is tied for fourth in the GAC. Elias Ovelar Semeniuk and Andres Sandsto have each two. Tadhg Walsh is shining, currently leading the nation in assists with an impressive seven, averaging 1.4 per match. As a team, the Tigers average 2.2 assists per match, ranking 20th in the nation. In goal, Jorge Valentin has two shutouts, which is tied for the most in the conference.

Southern Nazarene, ranked No. 22 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25, enters with a season record of 3-3-1 (0-1 GAC). The Crimson Storm dropped their last two matches to Midwestern State and Newman. Unaiz Shajani, the 2023 GAC Offensive Player of the Year, leads the GAC in goals with six, while Cesar Solis is tied for fourth with three goals this season. Edwin Garcia leads in assists with four. Even with its offensive capability, SNU allows 1.7 goals per match. The Tigers have had the upper hand over Southern Nazarene, leading the all-time series 13-5, including a recent 2-0 victory at home in their last matchup.

Following this weekend's match, the Tigers return home to play conference matches against Rogers State and Northeastern State next week.