Box Score

CLEVELAND, Miss. – An 81st minute goal from Harding junior Rhon Royer allowed the Bisons to overcome two Delta State penalty kick goals and defeat the Statesmen 3-2 on Friday in men's soccer action.

Both teams compete in the Gulf South Conference, but Friday's game was a non-conference contest. The teams' meeting on Oct. 21 in Searcy will count as the conference game.

Harding (3-2-1) was whistled for the first of two handballs in the 18-yard box just over nine minutes into the game, and Delta State's Joel Salazar gave the Statesmen a 1-0 lead on the ensuing penalty kick.

The Bisons equalized in the 27th minute on freshman Jacob Stevens' first collegiate goal, assisted by Ryan Wilhelm and Victor Moya. Harding took the lead for good in the 30th minute as Delta State goalkeeper Flavio Romero came off his line and took out Harding forward Ian Park. Romero received a red card for the foul, and Austin Brown put the Bisons up 2-1 with a penalty kick goal.

The one-goal advantage held for the next 50 minutes before Royer's strike from the top of the box gave Harding its third goal. It was Royer's first of the season and marked the first time Harding scored three or more goals in a road game since a 4-0 victory at Alabama-Huntsville in 2008.

Delta State (0-6-0) scored its second penalty kick goal in the 86th minute following another handball foul. Salazar did the honors again for the Statesmen for his third goal of the season.

Harding improved to 7-2-0 all-time against Delta State and won its fourth straight over the Statesmen. The Bisons have won the last three meetings played in Cleveland.

The victory was Harding's third of the season, topping its total from 2010 only six games into the season. Friday's game was the second of four straight on the road for the Bisons. Harding is back in action Sunday in non-conference play against Christian Brothers in Memphis, Tenn.