SEARCY - John Brown freshman midfielder Nicole Kosin headed in a Whitney Brannon corner kick in the 28th minute to lift the Eagles to a 1-0 victory over Harding in women's soccer action Monday at the Harding Soccer Field.

It was the home opener for the Lady Bisons, who fell to 0-2-0 on the season.

“We did not play together tonight,” Harding coach Dr. Greg Harris said. “I give it to John Brown. They just hustled all over the field.”

Brannon took the corner kick on the left side and sent a left-footed in-swinger to the top of the six-yard box, where Kosin headed it inside the right post.

John Brown (1-2-0) almost took a two-goal lead on its next corner kick. Brannon found junior forward Karen Sosa alone on the right side, but Sosa's header bounced in front of the goal and over the crossbar.

“We did not mark very well (on the corner kicks),” Harris said. “We were off on our communication all night, and that extends to set pieces.”

Harding's best scoring chance in the first half came from junior midfielder Ashley Royce in the 31st minute. Royce got free on the right side and fired a shot from 12 yards out that John Brown goalkeeper Kristen Morency had to dive to her right to save.

John Brown held the bulk of the possession in the second half, but the play of Harding sophomore goalkeeper Danielle  Nonaka kept the Lady Bisons in the game.

“Danielle was the best player on the field tonight for us,” Harris said. “She still has a lot of growing to do, but she is really making some good strides.”

During a two-minute stretch midway through the second half, Nonaka made three solid saves. She made a kick save against sophomore forward Laura Garcia in a 1-on-1, leapt to keep out a Sosa shot just 20 seconds later, and easily handled a strong shot from Garcia just a minute later.

Nonaka had eight total saves in the game, four in each half.

With 11 minutes remaining, Harding had its best opportunity to tie the game in the second half. Freshman Larkin Hatcher took a pass at the top of the 18-yard box, but her left-footed shot sailed just high.

Harding had five shots in the game, with junior forward Jenna Taylor recording two.

The Lady Bisons play at home again Friday, hosting Texas A&M-Commerce at 7:30 p.m.