Box Score
SEARCY – The Harding men's soccer team opened the season Friday night with a 5-3 loss against #9 Lynn at the Harding Soccer Field. The three-goal effort equaled the number of goals scored against Lynn in five previous matches. Harding fell to 0-1-0 on the season.
Harding quickly put on the pressure, scoring 18 minutes into the game. Sophomore forward Phillip McCormick stole the ball away from the Lynn defense and quickly sent a through ball to fellow forward Connor Galloway who found the back of the net. Lynn tied the game three minutes later on breakaway off a steal from the Harding defense. Paulo Vaz sent the ball to Gabe Taboada for the equalizer.
Lynn goals from Louis Clack and another from Taboada put the Knights ahead 3-1. The Bisons made it a one-goal deficit when senior Drew Nowlin sent a screamer past the Fighting Knights wall on a free kick from 35 yards out. With 35 seconds left to play in the first half, Lynn scored from the top of the Harding box to go up 4-2 at the break.
Harding again pulled within one goal with 18 minutes left in regulation, when Galloway received a through ball from Nowlin. It was Galloway's third career two-goal game. The others came against Texas-Tyler and Alabama-Huntsville last season, both on the road.
The Fighting Knights put a stop to the charging Bison offense in the closing minutes of the contest. Lynn scored with 14 seconds remaining on a steal from the Harding defense.
Lynn played a man down for most of the second half. Lewis Clark was issued a red card in the 46th minute of play.
The Fighting Knights out-shot the Bisons 16-10.
Harding will be back in action Sunday as it travels to Tahlequah, Okla., to face Northeastern State. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
