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SEARCY - Christian Brothers jumped out to an early lead and held off Harding 3-1 in Gulf South Conference men's soccer action Sunday at First Security Stadium. With the loss, Harding needs a victory at Ouachita Baptist on Friday in Arkadelphia, Ark., to clinch the fourth and final GSC Tournament spot.

Christian Brothers (6-8-1, 3-1-0), which had already clinched a tournament berth, got on the board first in the 17th minute on Andrew Ballard's fifth goal of the season. Ballard took a feed from Joshua Menard at the top of the box and beat Harding goalkeeper James Thurmond. CBU took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

Robert Mingo's blast from 20 yards out in the 55th minute took a deflection and found the back of the net in the 55th minute to give Christian Brothers a 2-0 lead. It was Mingo second goal of the season and came off a corner kick from Clark Bradford.

The Buccaneers made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute as Yannick Skull drilled a free kick from 20 yards out into the upper left corner for his second goal of the year.

Harding (4-13-0, 1-3-0) pulled one goal back in the 86th minute as senior defender Jay Skinner headed in a Drew Nowlin corner kick. It was Skinner's first goal of the season and fifth career goal.

Skinner's shot was only Harding's second shot on goal in the game. Junior Connor Galloway had a shot on goal earlier in the second period.

With the victory Christian Brothers remained unbeaten at 11-0-1 in 12 meetings with Harding. The Buccaneers outshot the Bisons 18-9.

The contest was the final home game for six Harding seniors--goalkeepers James Thurmond and Andrew Flesher, defenders Steve Hedeman, Chad Marshall and Jay Skinner and midfielder Drew Nowlin.

Harding and Ouachita Baptist meet Friday in Arkadelphia, Ark., beginning at 1 p.m.