CLAREMORE, Okla - Rogers State men's soccer (6-5-5, 6-1-3 GAC/MIAA) had their chances to upset No. 17 Fort Hays State (10-3-3, 7-2-2 GAC/MIAA), but drew 1-1 in the regular season home finale on Saturday.
 
The first half was an aggressive, defensive period with Fort Hays State outshooting the Hillcats 5-3. Two of the Tiger's shots were on goal compared to the Hillcats one. FHSU got on the board early as the Tigers curved a ball around Declan Viljoen in the ninth minute to go up 1-0. The Hillcats responded later in the half as Erik Hjersson fired in the equalizer off two quick passes from Louis Bassett and Noah Preston-Watkins in the box to level things at 1-1 in the 33rd minute.
 
The second half saw both sides crank up the defensive intensity, with RSU outshooting FHSU 10-5 and each team recording three shots on goal.
 
The Tigers jumped out to a hot start as they tested Viljoen early in the 46th minute. The senior made another save in the 51st minute. RSU nearly took the lead in the 57th minute when Alex Laing took a shot, but the FHSU keeper made a great diving save. 
 
In the 68th minute, Hjertsson had a great look at the goal, but the Tigers made a huge save to keep the contest even at one apiece. Towards the end of the game, in the 87th minute, Hjertsson had another shot to beat the goalie, but his shot clanged off the right post. Just over a minute later, Preston-Watkins broke away and had a one-on-one chance to score, but the Tiger keeper made a great save coming out of the six-yard box.
 
RSU returns to action on Thursday, Nov. 7 as they begin the final road trip of the regular season with a stop in Tahlequah, Okla. for a faceoff against archrival Northeastern State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.