HAYS, Kan. – In a thrilling season opener, Fort Hays State narrowly defeated Rockhurst 2-1 at FHSU Soccer Stadium on Thursday afternoon (Sept. 5). FHSU netted Alex Nichols' first win as head coach of the Tigers and moved ahead in a close series history with the Hawks, now 4-3-3.

Fort Hays State took control in the first half, maintaining slight dominance in possession. They capitalized on their pressure in the 36th minute when Elias Ovelar Semeniuk opened the scoring, assisted by both Mathis Lefevre and Tadhg Walsh. Lefevre took a free kick from mid field and booted it into the box for Walsh who headed to the head of Ovelar Semeniuk to put the ball in the net. The Hawks only managed one shot in the first half as the Tigers led 1-0 at the break.

Rockhurst gained intensity in the second half, outshooting their first-half performance and equalizing the score in the 74th minute following a brief lightning delay at the stadium. Asier Olano found the net with an unassisted goal on a long free kick, leveling the match.

With the end near, Fort Hays State found a late bit of fortune to move back into winning position. In the 88th minute, Ibrahim Madad scored the decisive goal in close to the net, assisted by a perfectly placed Walsh corner kick, securing a 2-1 victory. Walsh nabbed his second assist of the match.

Fort Hays State outshot Rockhurst 16-6. Rockhurst's keeper Franco Brunoro made five saves, while Lefevre of FHSU made one. The Tigers put seven shots on goal. Felix Tellez Ramirez led the Tigers in shots with four.

Now 1-0, the Tigers set their sights on a neutral match with Upper Iowa on Sunday in Kansas City at 5 p.m. The match will be at Children's Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village. The Tigers play their next two matches at that venue over the next 7-day span.