SEARCY — The No. 4-ranked Fort Hays State Tigers maintained their undefeated season, overpowering the Harding Bisons men's soccer team 5-0 in a GAC/MIAA matchup Saturday morning at the Stevens Soccer Complex. It was Harding's final home game of the season.
The Tigers improved their record to 14-0-3 overall and 10-0-1 in conference play. The Bisons fell to 2-12-2 overall and 0-9-1 in GAC/MIAA action. Harding will conclude its season next weekend with road games at Ouachita Baptist on Thursday and at Rogers State on Saturday.
Fort Hays State controlled the pace of the game, outshooting Harding 33-5 and holding a dominant 15-0 advantage in shots on goal.
The Tigers established a commanding lead in the first half, scoring three goals. Dimitry Tchantcheu found the net first in the 18th minute (17:03), heading in a cross from Jackson Elgas. Tadhg Walsh added an unassisted goal in the 33rd minute (32:43), and Federico Heinrich closed the half's scoring in the 44th minute (43:14) with a header off a corner kick, assisted by Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye and Tonnes Daland.
Harding goalkeeper Rinner Stewart was a bright spot for the Bisons' defense, recording 10 saves against the heavy offensive pressure from Fort Hays State.
Fort Hays State added two more goals in the second half. Joseph Street scored on a corner kick in the 64th minute (63:17) with an assist from Juan Linares, and Mamadou Oumar Ndiaye capped the scoring in the final minute of the match (88:53) after chipping in a blocked shot, assisted by Lucas Garay.
The Bisons managed five total shots in the match, but none were on target, leaving Fort Hays State goalkeepers Payton Roehrich and Simon Niksch unchallenged. The Tigers also held a 16-4 edge in corner kicks.