Men's Soccer | 11/28/2018 10:39:39 AM

Each week, the MIAA’s featured writer David Boyce covers an intriguing story in the conference for a series called Boyce’s Beat: Featured Stories of the MIAA.

This week David Boyce profiles the path of the Fort Hays State men’s soccer team to the NCAA Division II national semifinals. Boyce highlights the team's success and talks with coach Brett Parker about some of the key players that have made this historic postseason run possible.

As a few snowflakes fell while fireworks exploded under a cold Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sky at the NCAA Division II Fall Festival ceremony Tuesday evening, Fort Hays State men’s soccer had a moment to reflect how far it has come.

The Tigers, 17-2-1 and ranked 11th in the United Soccer Coaches top 25, will take on Barry University, 15-4-2 and ranked 20th, at 10 a.m. Central Time Thursday at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh in the Division II semifinals. The winner plays for the national championship on Saturday.

It marks the first time Fort Hays or a men’s soccer team from the MIAA has reached this point.

“We have been close, Northeastern was close a couple of times. Lindenwood has been close. We finally caught up with some of the teams nationally,” Fort Hays coach Brett Parker said. “It is great for us. We are excited to be on the national stage and showcase what our program is, and it is not only going to help our team, but teams in our conference and region moving forward.”

Parker knew the Tigers had the makings of being a good team capable of doing what no other Fort Hays soccer team has accomplished back in mid-September. They traveled to California and lost 1-0 to Point Loma on September 13 and tied Biola 1-1 on September 15.

The Tigers have won 14 straight since the tie.

“We knew coming in it was going to be a talented group, but we have had talented groups before that came up a little short,” Parker said. “We went out to California the third week of the season and faced two really tough teams and had a loss and a tie, but really played well that weekend but didn’t quite get the results.

“The way the team came together against some adversity really sparked us for the run we have been on. We haven’t been beaten since. I think that was when we really knew on the national level, regardless of where we are playing, we had a team that could compete with anybody.”

It is easy to look at the statistics and think one reason Fort Hays has been so good is that of the play of junior Santiago Agudelo. After redshirting last season, Agudelo has made a splash this year, scoring 26 goals and adding six assists.

But the Tigers are much more than a one-man scoring machine. In fact, in the 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Ohio Valley, the two goals came from sophomore Mauricio Etcheverry and junior Moises Peralta. Peralta started because of injury and Etcheverry has been a substitute for most of the season.

And in the 3-1 Central Region victory over Northeastern State, freshman Alonso Rodriguez, who primarily comes off the bench, scored two goals.

“That was a pretty impactful substitute,” Parker said. “We have great guys coming off the bench to make huge contributions for us.”

Solid midfield and defense also played a vital role in helping Fort Hays reach the semifinals.

“In the midfield, our captain Tobias Patino, a fifth-year senior, who has been a linchpin for our team for years,” Parker said. He played as true freshman, had some medical issues. He was part of the first team that made it to the national quarterfinals. He is a tremendous all-around midfielder. He is the engine of our team. We play a lot through him. He had a great year.

“We added sophomore Moritz Walther, ‘Big Mo,’ a German transfer from Metro State. He has kind of been the missing piece that we needed in our midfield. He has the skill and technical but he is also 6-foot-3. He has added a different element defensively and attacks for us.”

Parker said the back four defenders have also been instrumental in preventing scores and also starting the attack.

“Our back is a veteran group,” Parker said. “Luis Torres is a four-year starter, multiple all-region honors. He has been a good player back there.”

Junior Raul Fierro, the other center back, moved from forward last year and has made solid contributions in the back row.

The outside backs are three starters. Senior Caesar Jones is the right back and junior Sergio Villalba is the left back.

And at goalkeeper is senior Fernando Pina, who has only allowed eight goals in 13 games.

“Since we got our goalkeeper back from injury, that pretty much started our unbeaten streak,” Parker said. “He is a Division I transfer. He has played at the highest level as a youth player.

“As much as we attack, the key the past four months has been the midfield, the back four and our goalkeeper.” 

The Tigers, who come from different backgrounds, have come together and put themselves in position to win a national title.

“That is what this team has really done. They have bought into the team concept, a really selfless group,” Parker said.

Parker and his team have watched film of Barry. They know they have a difficult test ahead of them. Barry is making its third appearance in the national semifinals and first since 2000. Part of the reason for the 18-year drought is the tough region the Buccaneers play in.

“We know the league they came out of is probably the strongest league in the country and their region is probably the strongest region and their super region is probably the strongest,” Parker said.

“For them to survive that, we know it is going to be a tough game. You try to get as prepared as you possibly can, but you know what really matters is going out there on the day you play and executing.”