CLAREMORE, Okla. — Rogers State Men's Soccer (8-3-2, 4-2-1 GAC/MIAA) battled to a 1-1 draw against No. 13 Fort Hays State (8-2-3, 6-0-1 GAC/MIAA) on Homecoming Saturday at Soldier Field. This tie snapped a five-match losing skid against the Tigers.
After the Tigers scored in the first half, RSU equalized in the second. The Hillcats outshot the Tigers 13-9, including a 10-2 margin after halftime, and put seven shots on goal.
The Tigers scored in the 33rd minute on JJ Espinosa's goal, assisted by Francisco Degiorgi off a corner attempt, putting RSU behind 1-0. The Hillcats responded with two shots in the next three minutes:
Oliver Hemlin's attempt was saved by Payton Roehrich in the 35th minute, and
Conor Mills followed in the same sequence.
Tristan Miller made two saves in the half, and RSU went into halftime trailing 1-0.
The Hillcats drew level in the 61st when
Sam Ryder scored his first goal of the season, assisted by
Miguel Madrigal and
Louis Bassett, to make it 1-1. RSU kept pressing from there, recording four shots and two corner kicks between 72:28 and 81:20, but could not add another goal. The half ended with the match tied 1-1.
Ryder scored the Hillcats' goal and put his only shot on frame. Bassett recorded an assist and finished with one shot on goal. Madrigal also tallied an assist and put his lone shot on target.
Gian Filizzola led RSU with four shots, including one on goal.
RSU returns to action at 7 p.m. on Thursday to face the Newman Jets at Soldier Field.
