Freshman Montserrat Diaz scored about 15 minutes before half-time to help Fort Hays State down Nebraska Kearney, 1-0, Friday night at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium
This was the non-MIAA game between the two teams this year. Hays (4-0-1) hosts the Lopers (0-4-1) in a league contest Oct. 23 in Kansas.
It was a blustery night at Foster Field with winds blowing 20mph to the South. Hays had the wind in the first half and thus controlled the action with the Lopers having the advantage over the final 45 minutes.
"In the first half they had the wind at their backs which made it much easier for them to create attacking opportunities. They are a shoot-heavy team so anytime they get around the 18-yard mark or near the box they are going to take shots," said Loper head coach Rob Breton. "With these winds anything inside 30 yards is now deadly. We weren't able to get out of the back (in the first half)."
UNK had a great chance to tie things in the final minute as senior Isabella Whiston (Lincoln) saw her 30-yard shot attempt ricochet off a Tiger, bounce high off the turf and almost into the net. However, junior keeper Isabel Robben poked it out but that setup UNK for its lone corner of the game. Unfortunately, the kick hit the side of the net. Five minutes earlier, senior Cammie Davis (Wichita) had a chance to tie things up but her shot from outside of the box sailed high.
"In the second half we had the wind at our backs so let's see if we can play with a little momentum and go forward. Can we high press them, create certain traps and force them into bad decision making on the ball," said Breton. "We had some moments and the girls will get there."
Diaz recorded her second collegiate goal soon after a Hays throw in near the Loper goal. While UNK cleared the ball, it went directly to a Tiger who returned it right back. The ball managed to slip past a few defenders with Diaz waiting just outside the box. She went top shelf to put her team ahead for good.
"A player tried to make as much contact as possible rather than making simple contact to just get it out of the way. They tried to put their foot through the ball instead of clean contact," said Breton. "It slips, we're not ready because the team is all reacting to the clearance. That was a brilliant, one-time strike by Hays."
Lincoln keeper Mackenzie Smith had six saves with senior Lily Engeman (Olathe, Kan.) and Raegan Downham (Cheyenne, Wyo.) the Loper field position players to go all 90 minutes. Finally, Taylor McGarrahan (Aurora, Colo.) logged a team-best 75 minutes among the true freshmen.
"The team was locked in for 90 minutes and that's one of the best games we've played so far. It shows the progress that they've made," said Breton.
UNK heads to Washburn (4-0-1) on Sunday afternoon.
Original source can be found here.
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