CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State men's soccer (2-2-3, 0-0-1 GAC/MIAA) fought to a 2-2 draw against Fort Hays State (2-2-3, 0-0-1 GAC/MIAA) in the GAC/MIAA opener on Thursday.
 
Two Hillcats got on the scoresheet in the match. Erik Hjertsson and Ruben Carrasco both scored their first goals of the season. Declan Viljoen was solid in goal as he made eight saves while allowing the two goals.
 
RSU applied offensive pressure early as they were able to get off two shots on goal in the first five minutes. Grant King gave the Hillcats an excellent chance in the fifth minute as he fired in a shot that the Tiger goalie had to dive to save. RSU continued to get chances but couldn't get anything to fall as they outshot FHSU 11-5 in the period, with six shots on goal compared to three.
 
In the second half, the offensive fireworks really started flying. In the 49th minute, Hjertsson broke the scoreless tie as he booted in a ball at the mouth of the goal on assists from Sebastian Hernandez and Josh Milla to put the Hillcats up 1-0. Just over two minutes later, in the 52nd minute Carrasco found the back of the net off a pass from Milla to push the lead to 2-0. The Tigers came to life as they felt the urgency to close the gap. In the 58th minute, Callum Frogson put FHSU on the board with an assist from Inigo Jimenez to cut the deficit to 2-1. In the 67th minute, the Tigers' Blake Arndt scored the equalizer on a penalty kick to set things even at 2-2.
 
The Hillcats will be back in action on Thursday, Sept. 22 as they welcome Southern Nazarene to Solider Field. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.