Recapping Friday’s semifinals of the NCAA Division II men’s soccer tournament held at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. No. 4 Rollins 1, No. 1 Fort Hays State 0 Justin Nelson’s goal in the 24th minute held up as Rollins handed top-seeded Fort Hays State its first loss of the season just one step short of the national championship game. Jordan Proulx sent in a pass to Nelson, who put a diagonal finish on it past Tigers goalkeeper Payton Roehrich. A video review at the end of regulation determined a foul did not occur in the box. Had it been ruled the other way it would have given Fort Hays State (20-1-3) a penalty kick with no time on the clock and a chance to force overtime. It was only the third match of the season in which the Tigers failed to score a goal. The others came in scoreless ties, including a contest against then-No. 3 CSU Pueblo on Sept. 11. Fort Hays State, from Hays, Kan., had stormed through its first three NCAA Tournament opponents by a combined score of 9-0. Fort Hays State University and Rollins in the first half of a Division II men’s soccer semi finals game at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs on Friday December 12, 2025. Rollins defeated Fort Hays 1-0. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans) Rollins, which is seeking its first national championship, had seven saves from keeper Kilian Vallant in the shutout. The Winter Park, Fla.-based Tars (14-4-5) are led by coach Keith Buckley, who has been at the helm for 35 seasons at his alma mater. Midwestern State University goalkeeper, Jake Morris (29) makes a save as teammate defender, Davis Mays (3) follows the ball in the first half of a Division II men’s soccer semi finals game against Southern New Hampshire University at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs on Friday December 12, 2025. Rollins defeated Fort Hays 1-0. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans) No. 3 Midwestern State 3, No. 2 Southern New Hampshire 0 Already owning the first two-goal lead in the semifinals – men’s or women’s – Midwestern State tacked on a third goal in the first 30 seconds of the second half and became the final team to advance to the championship. The first goal came in the third minute when Liam Pritchard found Alan Rivera with a pass across the box. Dereck Espinal, moving away from the goal, stepped over the pass as a decoy and caused momentary confusion, allowing Espinal a clean look. Gabriel Gacovicaj, who has scored all three of his goals this season during the NCAA Tournament, added the insurance goal that every other team competing this week at Weidner Field had lacked with his goal later in the first half. Midwestern State University’s Davis Mays (3) chases down the ball in the first half of a Division II men’s soccer semi finals game against Southern New Hampshire University at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs on Friday December 12, 2025. Rollins defeated Fort Hays 1-0. (The Gazette, Michael G. Seamans) Espinal, on an assist from Rivera and Prichard, scored in the opening minute of the second half to keep the Mustangs alive for their first national championship. Southern New Hampshire (17-3-2) joined the other and became the fourth team favored by seeding to fall in the two days of action in Colorado Springs. The Penmen had multiple looks to score, particularly in the second half, but several shots hit off the post and Midwestern State keeper Jake Morris recorded five saves in the shutout. Wichita Falls, Texas-based Midwestern State (18-3-3) and Rollins will meet at 3 p.m. Sunday for the men’s championship at Weidner Field. The finalists for the women’s championship No. 4 Franklin Pierce and No. 3 Florida Tech were set on Thursday. The final will be played at 3 p.m. Saturday at Weidner Field. ...read more read less