Arkadelphia, Ark. – Harding opened the 2016 season with a 4-3 overtime loss against Missouri Western on Friday in non-conference action in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association/Great American Conference Challenge hosted by Ouachita Baptist.
RECORDS
Harding falls to 0-1 on the season and Missouri Western improves to 1-0.
GOALS
Harding 1, Missouri Western 0 – 11th minute – Carley Stevens found Morgan Springborn who hit a shot over the goalie from the left side of the box.
Missouri Western 1, Harding 1 – 18th minute – Sydney Cluck found the back of the net after a dropped ball the goalkeeper.
Missouri Western 2, Harding 1 – 49th minute – Maddy Cowell scored directly off a corner kick.
Missouri Western 2, Harding 2 – 63rd minute – Averie Albright found Morgan Springborn for her second goal of the game.
Harding 3, Missouri Western 2 – 65th minute – Averie Albright scored off a rebound off the post.
Harding 3, Missouri Western 3 – 86th minute – Bridget Blessie scored off a penalty kick.
Missouri Western 4, Harding 3 – 100th minute – Maddy Cowell sent a cross into the box that found the head of Sarah Blakley for the goal.
TEAM STATS
Harding falls to 5-12-2 in season openers.
The Lady Bisons fall to 13-12-20 all-time in overtime games.
Missouri Western leads the series 3-0 against the Lady Bisons.
Each team took 14 shots and eight were on goal.
Each team took four corner kicks.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
It was Morgan Springborn's fourth and fifth career goals. She scored three goals last season for the Lady Bisons.
It was Averie Albright's eighth career goal.
Springborn took four shots for Harding. Carley Stevens, Asia Hollingsworth and Bethany Sutherland each had two shots.
Maddy Cowell took four shots to lead the Griffons.
QUOTE
Harding head coach Dr. Greg Harris: "The ladies put in effort. This is a young team that needs to learn to finish off games. We will get better. I believe in them."
UP NEXT
Harding will wrap up the challenge on Sunday when it faces Emporia State at 11 a.m., in Arkadelphia.
