Harding: McKenna Smith – one goal
Harding: Anne Fitzgerald – game winning goal and one assist
Northwestern Oklahoma: Ellen Trotter – one goal

SEARCY – The Harding women's soccer team defeated Northwestern Oklahoma 2-1 on Sunday in Great American Conference action at Stevens Field. The Lady Bisons improved to 5-8-1 overall and 4-4-0 in the GAC.

It was Harding's third straight win and the second win against NWOSU this season. HU defeated the Rangers 3-0 in Alva, Okla.

In the 37^th minute junior midfielder Anne Fitzgerald sent a throughball into the right side of the box to freshman forward McKenna Smith. Smith's shot found the lower right corner of the net to give HU a 1-0 lead.

Northwestern Oklahoma (1-16-0, 0-9-0 GAC) got the equalizer in the 49^th minute when senior forward Cathy Wabenga found junior midfielder Ellen Trotter on the right side of the box. Trotter's shot found the lower right corner. It was her first goal of the season.

Fitzgerald gave the Lady Bisons what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 61^st minute when she did a turnaround left footed shot from 30 yards out. Her shot hit the crossbar and bounced into the net. It was her first goal of the season and her first career game-winning goal.

Fitzgerald had another scoring opportunity in the 79^th minute when she was taken down inside the box by a NWOSU defender. Her PK missed right.

Harding had another scoring opportunity in the 81^st minute when sophomore midfielder Larkin Hatcher took a shot that was saved by Ranger defender Gabriella Hernandez.  It was NWOSU's second team save of the season.

The Lady Bisons took 17 shots, six were on goal. Harding held Northwestern Oklahoma to only seven shots and the only one on frame was the goal.

The Lady Bisons will be back in action on Friday as they host East Central in GAC action at 7 p.m.