HAYS, Kan. –  Heartbreaking late goals by Fort Hays State ended Northeastern State's season, 3-1, in the NCAA Central Region Championship on Thursday evening.  Northeastern State held a slim 1-0 lead for 25 minutes before the Tigers scored three goals in the final nine minutes to advance to Elite 8.

Flynn Semmerling had his ninth goal of the season with NSU limited to five shots against Fort Hays State. 

Trevor Reed accounted for the RiverHawks' offense in the first half, owning both of the team's shots on-goal.   The NSU senior tried to hit one through at the 35-minute mark from ten yards out but FHSU's keeper jumped on the ball for the save. 

Five combined shots were taken by both squads, with one corner kick awarded to the Tigers in the first half.

Northeastern State came on the attack out the gates in the second half with a pair of corner kicks.  Following a yellow card on the RiverHawks at the 55-minute mark, Semmerling took advantage of a defensive lapse by the Tigers, and broke past a one-on-one for an open net goal.

With 11 minutes remaining in regulation, the RiverHawks nearly got a second goal off the foot of Blake Dumond; the ball jumped over the FHSU keeper and hit the left post. 

The unlucky break for the RiverHawks ended up being the Tigers gain two minutes later where they got an equalizer.  Fort Hays continued to attack and at the 83rd minute mark, they scored the eventual game winner from 20 yards out with a ball that beat the NSU keeper to the right.  Shortly later, the Tigers iced the contest with a third goal in the 87th minute.

Northeastern State's season will end ranked-#19 in the nation and a 15-3-1 record.