OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – A second half goal by Harding's Barry Foster allowed the Bisons to come from behind and tie Oklahoma Christian 1-1 in double overtime on Saturday in the first meeting between the two universities in men's soccer.
The teams combined for 47 shots in the game, but only 12 were on goal.
Harding (1-2-1) has picked up a 2-1 MIAA victory over Southern Nazarene on Thursday and the tie with Oklahoma Christian on Saturday in the first two games of a four-game road trip. The Bisons play another road game in MIAA action Thursday against Southwest Baptist in Bolivar, Missouri.
Foster nearly scored the game-winner early in the second overtime. Only 20 seconds into the period, Foster forced a save from Oklahoma Christian goalkeeper Evan Helker, and Christopher Walker's shot two minutes later was just wide. The Eagles managed two late shots in the second overtime but neither was on goal.
The teams combined for only four shots in the first overtime period.
Harding evened the score at 1-1 on Foster's first goal of the season. It came in the 68th minute on an assist from Jeremy Rector, who crossed the ball from the left to Foster at the top of the box. It was Foster's fourth career goal and Rector's third career assist.
The goal came on Harding's 17th shot of the game.
Harding weathered a late barrage from Oklahoma Christian, who took five shots in the last three minutes of regulation. Harding freshman goalkeeper Tyler Melson saved one, the Bison defense blocked three more, and the final shot sailed wide with just 12 seconds left to play.
Oklahoma Christian (1-2-1) scored the first goal of the game only 76 seconds in when Domenico DeGrazia made it 1-0 on a free kick from 45 yards out. It was the fifth-fastest goal ever scored by a Bison opponent and the fastest since Lyon College scored 23 seconds into a game with Harding in 2012.
DeGrazia scored on one of only three shots on goal for the Eagles in the first half. Harding had nine shots in the first half, including shots on goal from Jacob Stevens and Jeremy Rector.
Harding redshirt freshman Thomas Schults made his fourth consecutive start at goalkeeper. He made two saves in the first half before giving way to Melson, who made three saves in his Harding debut.
Foster had a team-high five of Harding's 22 shots. Freshman Daniel Gamboa started for the first time this season and had four shots. Harding forwards Ian Park and Dylan Sherrill did not play in the game due to injuries.
