Fort Hays State Men's Soccer reaches the midway point of conference play this week when it plays host to Newman University on Thursday night (Oct. 8) in Hays. They start their second half of the conference play on Saturday (Oct. 10) at Rogers State. The No. 13 ranked Tigers enter at 7-2-2 overall and 5-0 in the GAC. Newman enters the week 3-8 overall and 2-3 in the GAC, while Rogers State is 7-3-1 overall and 3-2 in the MIAA.
 
How to Watch
Both contests this week are on The MIAA Network. Subscription rates apply.
 
Six-Straight Wins Over the Jets
Fort Hays State has won the last six meetings with Newman going back to the 2023 season. The Tigers scored multiple goals in each of those six meetings and they won two of the meetings by shutout. FHSU is 8-0 against Newman in Hays.
 
Five-Straight Wins Over the Hillcats
Fort Hays State won the last five meetings with Rogers State, which dates back to last year. FHSU and Rogers State met four times last year (twice in the regular season, the GAC/MIAA Tournament Championship, and the NCAA Super Regional Final). The Tigers yielded just one goal in the five-match streak, winning four of the contests by shutout. FHSU won the first meeting of this season with RSU by a score of 2-0 in Hays.
 
Good Start to Conference Play
Fort Hays State is off to a 5-0 start in conference play. The Tigers defeated Rogers State, Northeastern State, Harding, Ouachita Baptist, and Southern Nazarene so far in five conference matches. Newman will complete the first round of matches against the six conference adversaries.
 
Tigers Remain No. 13 in National Poll
Fort Hays State remained in the same spot in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll. The Tigers are ranked No. 13 for the second-straight week. The Tigers have been in the Top 25 of every poll so far this season, which includes the preseason and six regular season polls. FHSU has been in the top 25 of the national rankings for 22-straight polls going back to the 2024 season.
 
Players of the Week
FHSU has five GAC Player of the Week honors this season. Payton Roehrich was the Goalkeeper of the Week three times this season (Sept. 8, 22, 29). Juan Linares was the Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 22, while Francisco Degiorgi was the Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 1.
 
Linares Lead in Points
Midfielder Juan Linares leads FHSU in points with 10 this season (3 goals, 4 assists), while forward Len Valkema has nine points for the season (4 goals, 1 assist). Linares is tied for the  GAC lead in assists with teammate Francisco Degiorgi, while Valkema is tied for the GAC lead in highest points/game average (1.0) in the conference since he has played just nine of 11 matches.
 
Multiple Assists
Francisco Degiorgi and Juan Linares lead the Tigers in assists this season, each with four. Five other Tigers all have one for the season.
 
Strong Between the Pipes
Payton Roehrich continues to produce strong numbers in goal. He holds a 0.47 goals against average for the season and an .821 save percentage. He is among the top 20 nationally in each category.
 
Scouting the Opponent
Newman
-The Jets are 3-8 overall and 2-3 in GAC play.
-Newman is coming off a 2-1 loss to Southern Nazarene at home this past Saturday.
-Tomas Melon leads the Jets in points with 4 (2 goals).
-Nine different players account for Newman's 10 total goals scored this season.
-Guilherme Borges has seen the majority of action in goal for the Jets, holding a 1.68 goals against average and .704 save percentage.
 
Rogers State
-The Hillcats are 7-3-1 overall and 3-2 in GAC play entering this week.
-RSU is receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll.
-Rogers State won both of its contests last week by shutout, 7-0 over Harding and 1-0 over Ouachita Baptist.
-Brandon O'Rourke leads the Hillcats in points with 9 (3 goals, 3 assists).
-Tristan Miller has played all 990 minutes in goal for RSU, holding a 0.91 goals against average and .773 save percentage for the season. He has five individual shutouts.