Box Score
TAHLEQUAH, OKLA. – The Harding men’s soccer team has not been successful against Northeastern State. In fact, the Bisons had been outscored 18-2 overall and 10-0 in the two meetings in Tahlequah.
But for more than 85 minutes Tuesday, Harding had Northeastern State on the ropes. After Carter Truax’s second career goal in the 72nd minute that gave the Bisons a 3-2 lead, Harding held off the Redmen for the next 15 minutes before Simeon Mantel tied the game on an assist from Adam Douglas. NSU’s Ryan Tanner then scored the game-winner just under three minutes later and with only 65 seconds left in the game.
Northeastern State’s 4-3 win improved the Redmen record to 2-1-0, while Harding is still searching for its first win at 0-3-0.
Harding sophomore Chase Fowler opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with his first goal of the season and third of his career. Junior Brock Williams made it 2-0 Harding with his second of the season and 10th of his career.
NSU’s Jason Ervin then scored two goals in a six-minute span and the teams went to the break tied 2-2.
Northeastern State had a 13-8 shot advantage and had seven corner kicks to Harding’s one. Freshman James Thurmond earned his first start in goal for the Bisons in place of the injured Ryan Hamilton and made seven saves.
Harding is back in action on Sept. 8 against the University of Tampa. It will be a neutral site game played in Memphis, Tenn.
