Box Score
TAHLEQUAH, OKLA. – For less than a minute it looked like the Harding University women’s soccer team’s bad luck against Northeastern State University would continue. In eight previous meetings, the Lady Bisons had suffered eight losses to the Lady Reds, three of those by one goal.
But Harding freshman substitute Lindsey Dowdy knew nothing of that history and tied the game at 2-2 only 37 seconds after NSU’s Charlotte Disdale gave the Lady Reds a 2-1 lead on a penalty kick with just under six minutes left in regulation. Harding held a 5-2 shot advantage in the two ensuing 10-minute overtime periods but could not score.
The 2-2 tie was Harding’s second straight draw to open the season. It marked the first time in the nine-year history of the program that the Lady Bisons had played consecutive overtime games and the first time Harding has had two ties in a season.
After a scoreless first half, Harding junior forward Kendyl Washburn put the Lady Bisons ahead 1-0 on a penalty kick in the 55th minute. It was Washburn’s 25th career goal, tying her with Courtney Saul for fourth in Lady Bison history.
Dinsdale, who has four of the Lady Reds’ five goals in their first three games, then tied the game with the first of her two goals in the 69th minute.
Harding (0-0-2) held a 23-12 shot advantage in the game, including a 12-2 margin in the first half. Junior Lynsey Clissold led all players with eight shots, and Washburn added four. Dinsdale led NSU with three.
Prior to Tuesday, the Lady Bisons had never scored more than one goal in any of the eight previous meetings.
Northeastern State remains winless on the season at 0-2-1.
Harding returns to the field Thursday for its home opener against Texas A&M-Commerce. Kickoff at the HU Soccer Field is at 4 p.m.
