SEARCY – The Harding women's soccer team scored two first half goals and held on for a 2-1 Great American Conference victory over Southwestern Oklahoma on Friday at the Stevens Soccer Field. The Lady Bisons improved to 2-8-0 overall and 2-0-0 in the GAC.

Harding has now won seven straight GAC games which dates back to last season. The Lady Bisons have won their last five at home.

Harding got things started in the eighth minute when senior midfielder Anne Fitzgerald found the back of the net off after her shot deflected off a Southwestern Oklahoma defender. It was her first goal of the season.

The Lady Bisons scored their second goal in the 37th minute when redshirt freshman Mary-Margaret Kirkman cleaned up an Adair Schmidt's shot that was saved by the Bulldogs goalkeeper. It was Kirkman's first career goal.

Southwestern Oklahoma (1-7-1, 1-2-0 GAC) scored its only goal in the 75th minute when freshman midfielder Olivia Butler found the head of junior defender Charlotte Eastman off a corner kick. It was her first goal of the season.

The Lady Bisons fought off the Bulldogs the rest of the way. Harding had a scare in the 86th minute when junior midfielder Payton Warren raced after a throughball up the right side and hit a shot to the lower right corner of the net.  Lady Bison goalkeeper Kaitlyn Miller had a sliding save to keep Harding in the lead. Miller had four saves in the game.

Harding will be back in action on Sunday as they host Northwestern Oklahoma in GAC action at 1 p.m., at the Stevens Soccer Field.