HAYS, Kan.- Fort Hays State men’s soccer will host the University of Indianapolis in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday at the FHSU Soccer Stadium, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
The Tigers (17-0-3) advanced after winning both the GAC/MIAA regular season and tournament titles. This marks the first time in program history the Tigers have entered the NCAA Tournament unbeaten and secured the No. 1 seed, also hosting a tournament game for the first time as the 10-team super regional format began in 2019. Previously, FHSU had played all six of its NCAA Tournament matches on the road or at neutral sites.
Indianapolis (11-5-3) earned its spot with a dramatic 4-3 victory over McKendree in the opening round, rallying from a 3-1 halftime deficit with two goals in the final four minutes, including a last-second goal off a deflection.
Fort Hays State is making its 11th NCAA Tournament appearance in its 15-year history. The program had a nine-year streak of tournament appearances from 2012-2021 – the nation’s longest active streak at the time – before missing out in 2022. FHSU returned to the tournament in 2024.The Tigers’ 11 tournament appearances are the third-most in NCAA Division II over the last 15 years, trailing only Cal State L.A.(13) and Charleston (W.Va.) (12).
Currently ranked No. 4 in the United Soccer coaches Top 25, Fort Hays State is led offensively by Elias Ovelar Semeniuk, who has 14 goals and 4 assists, ranking third in Division II in goals scored and seventh in points (32). Joseph Street leads the team with 10 assists, ranking tenth nationally.The Tigers average 18.75 shots per game (second in the nation) and 8.70 shots on goal per game (also second nationally), boasting a nation-leading goal differential of +49 (59 goals scored, 10 conceded). Goalkeeper Payton Roehrich is third in Division II in goals against average (0.47), seventh in shutouts (8), and ninth in save percentage (.837).
uindy is paced by Gio Terlizzi and Alvaro Sanchez, both with 6 goals. the Greyhounds average 15.2 shots per game, and their goalkeeper, Keerti Unnamatla, has a 1.13 goals against average and a .727 save percentage.
