Box Score
SEARCY – Harding junior forward Lynsey Clissold scored from 25-yards out in the 37th minute to give the Lady Bisons a 1-0 victory over West Georgia in Gulf South Conference action Sunday.
The victory was Harding’s fourth straight and virtually locked up a spot for the Lady Bisons in the GSC Tournament. Harding is 6-3-3 overall and 5-1-0 in league play. The Lady Bisons have outscored their opponents 12-1 during their winning streak.
With the loss, West Georgia fell to 8-5-0 overall and 3-2-0 in the GSC. West Florida is the only team without a loss in conference play, and Harding is the only team with one loss. The top four finishers in the nine-team league advance to the conference tournament.
Clissold, the reigning GSC Offensive Player of the Week, corralled a long feed from senior defender Emily Currie just outside the 18-yard box. She turned and fired a shot that snuck inside the far post. It was Clissold’s sixth goal of the year and her second game winner. Currie’s assist was the second of her career.
Harding freshman goalkeeper Chelsea Hornbeck notched her third consecutive shutout, making six saves. The Lady Bison defense has not allowed a goal in the last 315 minutes of action.
In addition to its importance in conference play, Harding’s victory will also affect the NCAA II South Region rankings. West Georgia entered the game ranked third in the region with Harding eighth. The top four teams from each of the eight regions advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Harding plays its final non-conference game of the season Tuesday against Lyon College in Batesville, Ark. The Pipers are a member of the NAIA and are 11-2-0 this season. The squad is unbeaten in four home games.
