HAYS, Kan. — An early penalty kick set the tone for Fort Hays State as the Tigers handed the Southwest Minnesota State University soccer team a 3-0 non-conference loss on Sunday. It’s the second consecutive defeat for the Mustangs, who also fell 1-0 to Upper Iowa on Friday.

Friday’s loss to the Peacocks impacted Sunday’s match, as midfielder Sophia Wilson missed the game due to a suspension stemming from a red card against Upper Iowa. SMSU adjusted formations, moving from a 3-6-1 to a 4-4-2 and elevating Sandra Kraling and Laney Brill to the starting lineup as midfielders.

Defender Jayna Benson was called for a foul in the box in the fourth minute, resulting in a penalty kick for the Tigers. Sydney Cotter stepped up to the spot and drilled the kick for a 1-0 lead.

Fort Hays controlled the first half, leading 8-2 in total shots and 3-0 in shots on target at the break. SMSU goalkeeper Kennady Krebs made two first-half saves to keep the Mustangs close.

SMSU registered one shot on goal over the course of the day, compared to eight from Fort Hays. The lone on-target attempt came from Brooke Wetterstrom, who accounted for two of the Mustangs’ three total shots.

After halftime, the Tigers’ attack continued to ramp up. Saylor Richard converted in the 59th minute to double the lead, and Chaley French circled back five minutes later with another goal to increase Fort Hays’ lead to 3-0.

Cotter led Fort Hays with six total shots and two shots on goal, while Taylor Hill added another shot on goal with three total attempts.

In goal, true freshman Hadley Ostrander saved the lone shot she faced to earn her first collegiate clean sheet.

SMSU falls to 1-2 on the year with the loss and opens Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Friday when it goes on the road to take on Bemidji State at Chet Anderson Stadium at 7 p.m. The Beavers are 2-1 so far this year, most recently picking up a 3-1 non-conference win against Minnesota Duluth on Friday.