SEARCY – The Harding women's soccer team will travel to Weatherford, Okla., on Thursday to face Southwestern Oklahoma at 3 p.m., in Great American Conference action. The Lady Bisons head into the game with a 4-10-0 overall record and a 4-2-0 GAC record.
HARDING
Harding will play the rest of its regular season games on the road. The Lady Bisons play their first of four games on Thursday. Harding is 1-3-0 on the road this season.
The Lady Bisons are currently in second place in the GAC standings behind Southern Nazarene. The top four teams advance to the GAC Tournament held at the home of regular season champions Nov. 7 and 9.
The Lady Bisons are coming off their second straight GAC loss last Friday in Searcy. Harding fell to Ouachita Baptist 5-3. Junior midfielder Melissa Minnich had two of Harding's goals. Junior midfielder Audrey Adkison assisted both of Minnich's goals and also had a goal for the Lady Bisons. Harding's other GAC loss came to Southern Nazarene (3-2) in Searcy.
Harding is led by Adkison who had six goals ranking her tied for third in the GAC. Junior midfielder Adair Schmidt has five goals which ranks tied for sixth in the conference and Minnich had three goals. Adkison leads the team and ranks second in the GAC in assists with eight. Sophomore midfielder Averie Albright has two goals on the season and five other players have one goal for Harding.
The Lady Bisons are averaging 14.2 shots per game and 1.50 goals per game.
Harding leads the GAC in conference games in goals with 18. They also lead in assists with 13. The Lady Bisons have scored six goals off corner kicks in conference play this season. Harding ranks second in conference games with 40 corners.
Harding is coached by Dr. Greg Harris who is in his 14th season at the helm.
SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA
Southwestern Oklahoma heads into the game with a 2-10-2 overall record and a 2-4-1 GAC record. The Bulldogs, who won the regular season and conference tournament last season, are currently in fifth place in the GAC standings.
Southwestern Oklahoma is 1-5-2 at home this season. The Bulldogs have lost their last four games and their last three conference games. Their conference wins came at Ouachita Baptist (3-2) and East Central (1-0). The East Central win was their only win at home this season.
Southwestern Oklahoma is led by junior Charlotte Eastman who has four goals. Freshman midfielder Olivia Butler has two goals and leads the team in assists with four.
Sophomore Courtney Flores has played every minute at goalkeeper for the Bulldogs. She has a .718 save percentage.
Southwestern Oklahoma is coached by Mark Persson who is in his sixth season.
SERIES
Southwestern Oklahoma leads the series between the two teams 8-6-0.
When the teams met in Searcy earlier this season, Harding won 2-1. Senior midfielder Anne Fitzgerald had Harding first goal and redshirt freshman midfielder Mary-Margaret Kirkman had what proved to be the game winning goal.
Harding is 2-6 in Weatherford.
