Tweet #theGAC  HAYS, Kan. — The No. 13 Rogers State men's soccer team (12-2-5, 8-2-2 GAC/MIAA) battled Newman (7-5-7, 4-4-4 GAC/MIAA) to a thrilling 2-2 tie, ultimately advanced to the MIAA Tournament Championship game via penalty kicks on Thursday night at FHSU Soccer Stadium.

The first half began with the Hillcats creating offensive opportunities early. Despite a couple of offside calls, the team maintained pressure and secured two corner kicks in quick succession. Lawson Ford's attempt on goal was saved, but the efforts paid off when Alex Fletcher scored his second goal of the season in the 22nd minute, assisted by Ashton Medina and Artur Carvalho, putting RSU ahead.

RSU held its lead through a series of defensive stops, including a save by junior Jaxon Kendall against a shot from Cameron Schroder. As the half progressed, both teams experienced multiple fouls, with Newman receiving two yellow cards. The first half concluded with RSU leading 1-0.

The second half saw RSU quickly capitalizing on its attacking opportunities. Although Newman's goalkeeper Francisco Pinochet made several saves, RSU maintained pressure. Kendall made a crucial save early on to deny Newman's Gustavo Dias Juliani, setting the tone defensively.

Newman's Daichi Saito leveled the score, but RSU responded with Grayson Horsley's (4) goal, assisted by Brandon O'Rourke, reclaiming the lead at 2-1. However, Newman's Schroder equalized shortly after, bringing the score to 2-2.

RSU continued to test Newman's defense, but Pinochet's saves kept the match tied as regulation concluded.

Overtime began with RSU maintaining a solid defensive stance. In the 93rd minute, Louis Bassett created a scoring opportunity with a shot that highlighted the team's attacking intent. However, with several fouls from both sides, neither team could break the deadlock, and the first overtime period ended in a 0-0 tie.

The second overtime period began at the 100th minute with the Hillcats pressing forward. Kendall made another crucial save on a shot from Newman's Kei Nagakura. RSU created multiple scoring opportunities, but the period finished without a score, sending the match to penalty kicks.

In the shootout, RSU took an early advantage as Oliver Hemlin converted the first attempt, followed by a successful shot from Miguel Madrigal. Kendall was instrumental, thwarting all four of Newman's attempts, preventing any successful conversions.

Newman's Gabriel Dias Juliani, Gustavo Dias Juliani, Gibran Villalobos and Yohsuke Ono all failed to score, resulting in a 2-0 advantage for RSU in the shootout and sealing the 2-2 match victory.

Kendall tallied five saves while playing the full 110 minutes. Fletcher scored once on two attempts, while Horsley converted his only shot of the game. Bassett led the offensive charge with seven shots, including three on goal.

RSU will face the No. 4 Fort Hays State Tigers in the championship game Saturday at 1 p.m. Hays holds a 2-0 record against Rogers State this season, narrowly defeating the Hillcats 1-0 in their last matchup at FHSU Soccer Stadium. This will be RSU's third championship appearance in four years, and the first under head coach Jake Simpson, who has excelled in his first season leading the Hillcats.