COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (December 12, 2025) – Men's soccer handed Fort Hays State their first loss of the season on the biggest stage, winning 1-0 to advance to the national title game on Sunday. The Tars now stand at 14-4-5 overall while the Tigers wrap up their season at 20-1-3.

Both teams took a good while to figure out the others' defense as the match got going. Kaden Foreman earned the first shot on goal in the eight minute when he split a pair of defenders and launched a rocket from about 20 yards out, but it was saved by Payton Roerich. Two minutes later, Rollins was tagged with a yellow card as Hayden Judge was booked in the eleventh minute. All that did was fuel the other Tars on the field to step up their aggressiveness.

The physicality of the first half was in full force as set pieces led to huge piles of players fighting for control of the ball. Then, in the 24^th minute, the Tars broke through when Jordan Proulx found Justin Nelson on the right sideline. With a lightning-quick touch, Nelson unleashed a brace that smacked the back of the net to put Rollins up 1-0.
From there, the Tar defense tightened up, not allowing an inch of breathing room for the Tiger offense. They took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the Tigers controlled possession by a wide margin, desperate to tie the game. And yet, the Tars defense held strong, stalling each attack, deflecting passes, and witnessing a master class from Kilian Vallant in goal. The junior keeper was phenomenal, not allowing  goal despite being bombarded with shots. Twenty of them to be exact. A truly unbelievable effort.

In addition, the backline of the Tars was a brick wall, challenging every pass. Even the forwards came down to help, focusing on stopping the Tiger attack rather than working for a second goal.

Head coach Keith Buckley had high praise for his squad, who saw a number of players spend their first two days in Colorado under the weather. "The team showed incredible heart, and worked together for the win," remarked the Tars Hall of Famer. "And Kilian was unbelievable in goal. Could not have asked for a better performance."

Vallant ended the night with seven saves, tying his season-high. It is his second clean sheet in the last three games, and fifth of the season. Nelson's goal was his team-high tenth of the year. 

Rollins awaits the winner of #2 Southern New Hampshire and #3 Midwestern State. The championship game will be played on Sunday at 5:00 pm EST, 3:00 pm MST.