Box Score
SEARCY – The Harding men’s soccer team held the powerful Montevallo offense scoreless for one half, but Falcon forward Glenn Murphy scored twice early in the second period to lead Montevallo to a 3-1 victory. It was the Gulf South Conference opener for both teams.
Montevallo (6-2-0, 1-0-0) won its fifth straight overall and its third consecutive over Harding. The Bisons (0-7-0, 0-1-0) are still seeking their first win, but did score against Montevallo for the first time in the last three meetings between the teams.
Murphy notched his first goal in the 48th minute. James Maloney stole the ball from a Harding player in the defensive end and found Murphy on the breakaway.
Montevallo’s second goal literally covered the length of the field. UM goalkeeper Melford James, Jr., boomed a goal kick nearly 70 yards into the Harding 18-yard box. Maloney headed the goal kick over to Murphy who knocked it home from 10-yards out.
Harding’s goal came in the 72nd minute, when Brock Williams header found a sprinting David Mainprize on the right side. Mainprize beat a Montevallo defender and netted his first career goal. It was the first Bison goal against the Falcons since Harding won 5-0 in 2003.
Maloney scored his eighth goal of the season on a penalty kick in the 75th minute.
Harding will continue its search for victory Sunday, when it hosts 12th-ranked West Florida. The game begins at 3:30 p.m., at the HU Soccer Field.
