SEARCY – The Harding women's soccer team captured its first Great American Conference Tournament Championship on Thursday after defeating Southwestern Oklahoma 5-3. Freshman defender Mika Richards was named GAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. The Lady Bisons will have a selection show watch party in the student center pit on Monday at 5:15 p.m. All is welcome.

RECORDS

Harding improves to 15-3-2 overall and Southwestern Oklahoma falls to 13-6-1

GOALS

Harding 1, Southwestern Oklahoma 0 – 12th minute – Mika Richards tapped the ball into the back of net after an Audrey Adkison corner kick.

Harding 1, Southwestern Oklahoma 1 – 18th minute – Samantha Nunez collected the ball and found the back of the net after a shot by Cori Kelly.

Harding 2, Southwestern Oklahoma 1 – 19th minute – Bethany Sutherland scored after a shot taken by Averie Albright.

Harding 2, Southwestern Oklahoma 2 – 59th minute – Olivia Butler hit a cross to Samantha Nunez who scored from 18-yards out.

Southwestern Oklahoma 3, Harding 2 – 63rd minute – Olivia Butler hit a cross to the left side of the 18-yard box for Cori Kelly who score.

Southwestern Oklahoma 3, Harding 3 – 73rd minute – Audrey Adkison scored after collecting a loose ball.

Harding 4, Southwestern Oklahoma 3 – 73rd minute – Mika Richards scored from 35-yards out after a failed clearance.

Harding 5, Southwestern Oklahoma 3 – 85th minute – Southwestern Oklahoma Own Goal off corner kick.

TEAM STATS

The Lady Bisons will find out on Monday at 5:30 p.m., who and where they will be playing in the NCAA National Tournament. This year was the first year the GAC has had an automatic bid to the national tournament.

Harding won the GAC regular season championship and earned the right to host the conference tournament. The Lady Bisons defeated Southern Nazarene 2-0 on Thursday to advance to the tournament finals.

It was first time in school history the Lady Bisons are the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. Harding has advanced to play in every GAC Tournament since the conference was founded in 2011. It was Harding's third win ever in the GAC Tournament.

Harding took 26 shots in the game and 13 of them were on goal.

Southwestern Oklahoma had 10 shots and eight were on goal.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Freshman defender Mika Richards scored her fourth and fifth goals of the season.

Freshman midfielder Bethany Sutherland scored her 23rd goal to extend her Harding and the GAC record.

Senior midfielder Audrey Adkison scored her second goal of the season.

Mika Richards, Audrey Adkision, Bethany Sutherland, Ellie Buttram and Larkin Hatcher were all named to the All-Tournament Team.

QUOTE

Harding Head Coach Dr. Greg Harris: "This was the most passionate game we've been involved in all year. The ladies showed so much heart and passion to come back after going down. Congratulations to Southwestern Oklahoma on a great season. I'm very proud of these ladies."