SEARCY – The Harding women's soccer team captured its first shutout of the season as they defeated East Central 3-0 in Great American Conference action at the Stevens Soccer Field. The Lady Bisons improved to 4-8-0 overall and remain perfect in GAC action with a 3-0-0 record.

With the win, Harding won its ninth straight GAC game dating back to last season. Southwestern Oklahoma won 16 straight conference matches between 2012-13. The most they won without a tie during that span was seven.

The Lady Bisons scored their first goal in the 35th minute when junior midfielder Adair Schmidt stole the ball off a short East Central (4-5-2, 1-2-1 GAC) goal kick. Schmidt took advantage of the goalkeeper being out of position as she lobbed it over the keepers head for her fourth goal of the season.

After leading 1-0 at halftime, Harding scored its second goal in the 65th minute when junior midfielder Audrey Adkison found senior midfielder Katelyn Tschiggfrie at the top of the box. It was Tschiggfrie's first career goal.

The Lady Bisons scored their final goal in the 70th minute when sophomore defender Melita Sutherland sent in a cross from the left side that found the head of sophomore midfielder Averie Albright from the top of the 6-yard box. It was her second goal of the season.

Junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Miller had three saves for Harding. It was her first shutout of the season and the sixth of her career.

Harding took 17 shots in the game, eight were on goal.

The Lady Bisons will be back in action on Saturday as they host Southern Nazarene in GAC action at 1 p.m., at the Stevens Soccer Complex.