SEARCY – The Harding women's soccer team recorded its 10th shutout of the season on Thursday when it defeated Northwestern Oklahoma 5-0 in Great American Conference action at the Stevens Soccer Field. The Lady Bisons wore pink uniforms in the game for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

RECORDS

Harding improves to 11-2-2 overall and 8-0-1 in the GAC. Northwestern Oklahoma falls to 2-12-1 overall and 0-9-0 in the GAC.

GOALS

Harding 1, Northwestern Oklahoma 0 – 7th minute – Bethany Sutherland hit a screamer from 25 yards out off a bad clearance.

Harding 2, Northwestern Oklahoma 0 –34th minute – Audrey Adkison hit a corner kick to Ashley Sampson who headed it to Averie Albright who found the back of the net.

Harding 3, Northwestern Oklahoma 0 – 44th minute – Melita Sutherland hit a shot from 30 yards out that went over the goalkeepers hands.

Harding 4, Northwestern Oklahoma 0 – 67th minute – Bethany Sutherland dribbled through the defense and found the lower left corner of the net.

Harding 5, Northwestern Oklahoma 0 – 88th minute – Larkin Hatcher hit a throughball up the right side to the foot of Rachel Bacon who found the lower left corner.

TEAM STATS

The Lady Bisons have not lost in 13 games. Harding has won 11 times and has tied twice during its streak. The Lady Bisons have won their last six straight games and have shutout their opponent in the last four games.

The Lady Bisons eight conference wins is the most conference wins in school history. Harding has won six, four times.

With the win and a Southwestern Oklahoma loss to Ouachita on today, the Lady Bisons move into sole possession of first place in the GAC standings. The winner of the GAC regular season will host the conference tournament Nov. 5-7.

It was the Lady Bisons 11th win of the season and the second most wins in school history. Harding won 15 games in 2004.

The Lady Bisons took 32 shots in the game and held Northwestern Oklahoma to one.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

It was Bethany Sutherland's 15th and 16th goals of the season. She is one off Kendyl Washburn (2004-07) and Chelsea Brandon (2008-11) who each had 17 goals in a season.

It was Melita Sutherland's second straight game with a goal and her second of the season.

It was Averie Albright's second goal of the season and Rachel Bacon's third.

Audrey Adkison recorded her team-leading fifth assist of the season on Harding's second goal of the game.

Senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Miller recorded her ninth shutout of the season which broke the Harding record previously held by Cheryl Dovichak (2004-05). Dovichak set the record in 2004. Miller surpassed the Harding career record in shutouts earlier this season. She has recorded 19 shutouts in her career.

QUOTE

Harding Head Coach Dr. Greg Harris: "The ladies played with focus and passion tonight. They are starting to come together as a team that believes in themselves."

UP NEXT

Harding will be back in action on Saturday when it hosts Southwestern Oklahoma in GAC action at 10 a.m.