Box Score

SEARCY – Harding men's soccer was the beneficiary of an own goal by Lindenwood but never got the equalizer and fell 2-1 on Sunday in non-conference action.

With the loss, Harding fell to 3-6-1. Lindenwood, a provisional Division II member located in St. Charles, Mo., improved to 3-6-0.

After being shutout its last three games, Harding's pressure forced an own goal in the 57th minute. Bison freshman Ian Park laced a shot from close range off the hands of Lindenwood goalkeeper Franc Reolid Sanz. The save deflected off Lindenwood defender Daniel Fernandez and into the goal. It was Harding's first goal since Rhon Royer's game-winner at Delta State on Sept. 16.

Harding's goal came just under two minutes after Lindenwood took a 2-0 lead in the 55th minute. Midfielder Rodney Mays sent a cross from the right side into the box where Ivan Romero headed the ball back to Mark Mirth, who scored his first goal of the season.

After the goal, Harding starting goalkeeper Zach Auala had to leave the game with a leg injury. He was replaced by redshirt freshman Will Lynn, who made his Bison debut by making four saves in his time in goal.

Both teams had to play with only 10 players in the second half after Harding's Connor Galloway and Lindenwood's Naser Mustafic were issued red cards with less than 30 seconds left in the first half. The two got tangled up in front of the Lindenwood bench. After they separated Mustafic threw two punches at Galloway.

Both received red cards, but game officials said that Galloway's would not be a “fighting red,” which would require a two-game suspension. Galloway, who was playing his first game this season after coming back from an injured leg muscle, will miss Harding's next game against Central Baptist on Tuesday in Conway, Ark.

Lindenwood's first goal came only 3:28 into the game when Axel Duarte found Ivan Romero at the top of the box. Romero spun and scored his first goal of the season.