Box Score ARKADELPHIA, ARK. – Sophomore Lynsey Clissold connected three times with sophomore Kendyl Washburn for goals as the duo led the Harding women’s soccer team to a 3-1 win over Ouachita Baptist on Friday.
The Gulf South Conference victory kept the Lady Bisons in the chase for one of the league’s four tournament spots. Harding improved to 7-8-1 overall and 4-4-0 in conference play. The Lady Bisons have eight points, two for each GSC win, with two games left to play. Montevallo, currently tied for fourth, has eight points with three games left, and Central Arkansas has seven points with four games remaining.
Ouachita Baptist fell to 5-9-0 overall and 2-5-0 and likely dropped out of the tournament chase. The Lady Tigers slipped to 0-6-1 all-time against Harding.
Washburn notched Harding’s first goal in the 25th minute. The Midland, Texas native broke free on a through ball from Clissold for her ninth goal of the season. The Lady Bisons led 1-0 at halftime.
The Lady Tigers answered back with a goal in the 70th minute. Joyce Hanson scored her four goal, knocking home a rebound of Paige Ross’ header.
However, the Washburn-Clissold combo struck again in the 81st minute. Clissold’s corner kick came right back to her, she crossed it to Washburn, who hammered home goal number 10. With the goal, she became only the second Harding player to score 10 or more goals in consecutive seasons. Heather Gray achieved the feat in 1998 and 1999.
The duo was not done, turning a give-and-go in the box with Washburn scoring her 11th in the 89th minute. Clissold’s performance was only the seventh time a Harding player had three or more assists in a game.
Washburn’s hat trick was her first and the 11th by a Lady Bison. She has 24 career goals, moving into fifth at Harding.
The Lady Bisons, who have won three of their last four games, look to continue their strong play on Sunday when they meet Christian Brothers in Memphis.
