SEARCY – Freshman forward Bethany Sutherland scored three goals in the first half to lead the Harding women's soccer team to a 3-0 Great American Conference victory over East Central on Thursday at the Stevens Soccer Field.
RECORDS
Harding improves to 8-2-2 overall and 5-0-1 in the GAC. East Central falls to 3-8-0 overall and 2-3-0 in the GAC.
GOALS
Harding 1, East Central 0 – 25th minute – Morgan Springborn hit a cross from right to center that found Bethany Sutherland 15 yards out.
Harding 2, East Central 0 – 35th minute – Larkin Hatcher sent a corner kick into the box that was headed by Bethany Sutherland over the goalkeepers hands.
Harding 3, East Central 0 – 41st minute – Larkin Hatcher sent a cross in from the right side to the center of the box and Bethany Sutherland found the upper left corner of the net.
TEAM STATS
The Lady Bisons have not lost in 10 games. Harding has won eight times and has tied twice during its streak. The Lady Bisons have won their last three straight games.
With the win, the Lady Bisons stay in first place in the GAC standings. The winner of the GAC regular season will host the conference tournament Nov. 6-8.
It was Harding's seventh shutout of the season.
The Lady Bisons took 27 shots in the game; 15 were in the first half and 12 in the second half.
East Central had eight shots in the game and four were on goal.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
It was Bethany Sutherland's first career hat trick. It was the 20th hat trick in Harding history and it was the second one for the Lady Bisons this season. Sophomore forward Carley Stevens scored three in the 7-0 home win over Central Baptist earlier this season. It was Harding's first hat trick against East Central and the 13th hat trick at home.
Bethany Sutherland scored her 11th, 12th and 13th goals of the season. She moved into tied for third in Harding history for the most goals in the season. Chelsea Brandon (2008-11) was the last Lady Bison to scored 13 goals in a season. She did so in 2008 when she tied the Harding record of 17 goals in a season.
Senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Miller recorded her sixth shutout of the season which moved her into fourth place in Harding history for the most in a season. Cheryl Dovichak (2004-05) holds the Lady Bison record when she recorded eight in the 2004 season. Miller surpassed the Harding career record in shutouts earlier this season. She has recorded 16 shutouts in her career.
Senior defender Larkin Hatcher recorded her first and second career assists in the game.
East Central was led by Deanna Rudasill who had three shots and two were on goal.
QUOTE
Harding Head Coach Dr. Greg Harris: "Ladies came out and took care of business early. They played with poise and confidence against a good East Central team. Proud of our ladies."
UP NEXT
Harding will continue GAC action next Thursday when it travels to Shawnee, Oklahoma to face Oklahoma Baptist at 6 p.m.
