SEARCY – The Harding women's soccer team got a 4-0 shutout win over East Central Thursday in Great American Conference action.

After the game, Harding recognized six seniors (Asia Hollingsworth, Sierra Phillips, Mattilyn Reeder, Yuri Richardson, Bethany Sutherland and Kate Winn) for their contributions to the women's soccer program.

The Lady Bisons improve to 7-9-0 on the season and 7-5-0 in the GAC. Harding has already sealed a spot in the GAC Tournament hosted by the conference regular season champion November 1-3. The Lady Bisons will be the No. 3 seed and will play the No. 2 seed Southwestern Oklahoma next Thursday at Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

East Central falls to 3-14-0 overall and 1-9-0 in the GAC.

GOALS

Harding 1, East Central 0 – 14th minute – Melanie Matkins hit a cross from the left side that found the head of Bethany Sutherland for the goal. It was Sutherland's 10th goal of the season.

Harding 2, East Central 0 – 30th minute – Bethany Sutherland sent a long pass from the center to the left side of the 18-yard box that found Emma Welch who shot from 12-yards out. It was her sixth goal of the season.

Harding 3, East Central 0 – 44th minute – Parker Smitherman took a shot that hit off the crossbar right to the foot of Madison Massoth for her to clean up. It was her third goal of the season.

Harding 4, East Central 0 – 81st minute – Own goal the East Central defender head flicked the ball over the keepers hands.

STATS

Harding took 25 shots in the game, 12 were on goal. Bethany Sutherland led Harding with eight shots, two were on goal.

Ashton Springer had a career-high 10 saves for the Lady Bisons. It was also her first career shutout.

East Central had 20 shots, 10 were on goal.