MANKATO, Minn. – The Harding women's soccer team fell 3-1 to No. 24 Fort Hays State on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Central Region Tournament hosted by Minnesota State Mankato.

Fort Hays State advances and will play No. 15 Minnesota State Mankato on Sunday at 1 p.m.

RECORDS

Harding ends its season with a 11-7-2 record and Fort Hays State improves to 15-4-2.

GOALS

Fort Hays State 1, Harding 0 – 40th minute – Hannah Smith scored off a corner kick by Darby Hirsch.

Fort Hays State 2, Harding 0 – 54th minute – Regan Lawler and Dani Harris found Thalya Dwyer for the goal.

Fort Hays State 2, Harding 1 – 75th minute – Averie Albright found McKenna Smith for her third goal of the season.

Fort Hays State 3, Harding 1 – 82th minute – Thalya Dwyer found the net for the second time in the game off a corner kick by Kelsey Steffens.

TEAM STATS

It was Harding's third trip to the NCAA tournament.

It was the Lady Bisons only loss to a ranked team this season. Harding is 5-28-1 against ranked opponents.

Harding took nine shots, five were on goal.

Fort Hays State took 17 shots, six were on goal.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Bethany Sutherland and Meltia Sutherland each took three shots for Harding with Melita's all being on goal.

Thalya Dwyer took six shots for Fort Hays State, two were on goal.

QUOTE

Harding head coach Dr. Greg Harris: "So proud of the team and the fight they had today, to come back when down. Fort Hays State has a great team, and I wish them all the best. Love the example of hardworking and family that Averie Albright, Morgan Carter, Anna-Grace Kirkman, McKenna Smith, Melita Sutherland and Hannah Wilhelm have left for this team. I have been blessed to have been able to coach them."