RiverHawks claim NCAA Central Region crown on Weaver’s last-minute goal

PHILIPPI, W.V. – Jacob Weaver crowned the RiverHawks as NCAA Central Region Champions with a game winning goal in the final 41-seconds to beat MIAA conference rivals Fort Hays State 2-1 on Thursday night.

Northeastern State will advance to the Elite Eight for the second time in its program’s history, last reaching the mark in 2012.

Weaver’s fifth goal of the season came off of a header from James Doyle in front of the box.   The pass landed three feet right of the near post and Weaver made a sliding stab at the ball which sailed past the Fort Hays State keeper and through the net near the far post.

All the scoring in the contest came in the second half with Joe Garcia giving NSU the advantage in the 48th minute on a free kick for his 13th goal of the season.

Fort Hays State would even the contest 20 minutes later on a shot that was at the top of the NSU box.

Despite the even score, NSU put the pressure on the Tigers and kept the ball on their side of the field in the final three minutes.  A corner kick in the in final minute paved the way for Weaver’s second game winner of the season.

Northeastern State controlled the offensive tempo throughout the evening and held a 14-to-8 shot advantage over Fort Hays State who will see their season end with an 11-6-2 record.

Ryan Davis had three saves in front of the RiverHawks’ net to bring his season total to 67.

The RiverHawks are now 14-5 overall and will face Rockhurst on Saturday, Nov. 18 at noon (CT).  The Hawks are the number-two seed out of the Midwest Region and played in the first match on Thursday beating Ohio Valley their region’s top-seed, 1-0, in the second overtime period.

Northeastern State has won their last two meetings with Rockhurst, both were 1-0 wins at both home and away venues.

Saturday’s winner will advance to the national semifinals which are in Kansas City, Mo. on Nov. 30.

Fort Hays State (11-6-2, 7-1 MIAA) vs. Northeastern State (14-5, 6-2 MIAA)
 Date: Nov 16, 2017  Attendance: 57
 Weather: 36 degrees, cloudy

 Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
 Fort Hays State.....  0  1 -  1
 Northeastern State..  0  2 -  2

 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  47:26 NSU Garcia, Joe (13) (unassisted) - free kick from top of the box
  2.  67:07 FHSU Cisse,Abdoulaye (9) (Fierro,Raul)
  3.  89:19 NSU Weaver, Jacob (5) (Doyle, James)

 Shots: Fort Hays State 8, Northeastern State 14
 Saves: Fort Hays State 5 (Yantz,Michael 5), Northeastern State 3
 (Davis, Ryan 3)