KEARNEY, Neb. – Fort Hays State Women's Soccer kicked off the 2026 regular season in Kearney, Nebraska. Down 2-1 with just over 21 minutes to play, the Tigers went on an offensive tear, scoring four goals to win 5-2 over William Jewell and secure head coach
Alex Hagan's first win leading the team.
About 10 minutes into the match, William Jewell scored the first tally. However, about six minutes later Tiger newcomer
Lily Marshall leveled the match with a run into the box off a nice through pass from
Taylor Hill. The game remained knotted at 1-1 the remainder of the first half.
William Jewell moved in front once again in the 58
th minute, but a free-kick goal from
Berkley Sparks was the spark for a late-match rally. With just over 11 minutes to go, the Tigers moved in front when a pass from
Berit Shores was redirected by a William Jewell defender up and over the goalkeeper for another Tiger goal.
The floodgates fully opened with nine minutes to go when
Saylor Richard scored on a free-kick goal well outside the box. Then just 35 seconds later,
Chaley French navigated traffic and delivered a well-placed strike over the keeper for the fifth tally of the match for FHSU.
Fort Hays State is back in action on Sunday (Aug. 30) in Kearney when it takes on Rockhurst at 11 a.m.
