SEARCY – The Harding women's soccer team will make the journey to Alva, Okla., to face Northwestern Oklahoma on Saturday for a Great American Conference game that kicks off at 1 p.m. The Lady Bisons head into the game with a 4-10-1 overall record and a 4-2-1 GAC record.
HARDING
Harding will play the rest of its regular season games on the road. The Lady Bisons play their second of four games on Saturday. Harding is 1-3-1 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 a 0-0 double-overtime tie at Southwestern Oklahoma on Thursday. It was Harding's first tie of the season and its second overtime game. The Lady Bisons fell to Missouri Western 1-0 in overtime to open the season.
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 13.9 shots per game and 1.40 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.
NORTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA
Northwestern Oklahoma heads into the game with a 6-6-3 overall record and a 1-5-2 GAC record. The Rangers are coming off their first GAC win on Thursday as they defeated Ouachita Baptist 6-1 in Alva. Junior defender Jade Nash and junior forward Leidiane Capobianco both had two goals in the game and junior midfielder Jessica Lynch had four assists.
Northwestern Oklahoma averages 1.93 goals per game ranking first in the GAC. They also average 15.4 shots per game which ranks second in the GAC.
The Rangers are led by Capobianco who has eight goals on the season. Lynch has GAC leading 13 assists on the season.
Northwestern Oklahoma's sophomore goalkeeper Briana Legaspi leads the GAC in goals against (1.32), save percentage (.836) and saves (7.08). She also ranks second in saves per game, averaging 7.08 per game.
The Rangers are coached by Kasey Mahaffey who is in her third season as head coach.
SERIES
Harding leads the series over Northwestern Oklahoma 5-0-0.
The Lady Bisons defeated the Rangers 2-1 in Searcy earlier this season. Adair Schmidt had Harding's first goal and Melissa Minnich had the game winning goal with 28 seconds left in the game. Audrey Adkison had both the assists.
Harding is 1-0 against Northwestern Oklahoma in Alva.
