SEARCY – Fort Hays State, ranked 21^st in NCAA Division II, defeated Harding men's soccer 3-0 on Saturday in MIAA action at the Stevens Soccer Complex.

The game was the first of two straight against nationally-ranked opponents for Harding. The Bisons (2-2-2, 1-1-0) will take on 6^th-ranked Northeastern State on Tuesday in Searcy. Harding will be looking for its first-ever victory over a nationally-ranked team.

Fort Hays (6-1-1, 2-0-1) is unbeaten in its last seven games and took a 1-0 lead in the 39^th minute. Substitute Joe Albright's cross from the right channel connected with fellow sub Jaccob Rangel who notched his second goal of the season with a shot inside the far post.

The score remained 1-0 until two late goals by Fort Hays, both on free kicks. Daniel Peralta scored off the hands of Harding goalkeeper Seth Peterson on a straightaway free kick from 25 yards out in the 85^th minute.

Less than three minutes later, Diego Cabral scored his fourth of the season on a free kick that deflected off the inside of the right post.

The shutout was the fifth of the season for Fort Hays. The only other time Harding had been shutout was in a 0-0 tie with Texas Wesleyan.

Fort Hays outshot Harding 22-12 overall and 13-5 in the second half. Kent Freund made three saves for his first shutout of the season, and Peterson made five saves for Harding.