The Harding men's soccer team gave up two late first half goals and fell to Rogers State 2-1 on Thursday in their home opener. Harding fell to 1-5-1 on the year and 1-3-1 in conference. Rogers State improved to 6-3-1 on the season and 2-2-0 in conference. 
 
Rogers State scored the first goal of the game off a corner kick. Jaime Ponce headed in his second goal of the season off the corner kick from Zach Donohue in the 36^th minute. Eight minutes later, Jaxon Pitt received a cross from D'Waylan McIntosh and scored his fifth goal of the season. 
 
Harding cut the lead in half in the 64^th minute when Stefano Silva blasted his first goal of the season from 40 yards out. Harding thought they had scored the equalizer in the 73^rd minute, but the goal was waved off because offside was called. The Bisons had one more chance in the final minutes but missed the tying shot when Andres Castano missed wide left. 
 
Rogers State outshot the Bisons 16-7 on the night with both teams shooting four on goal. Silva led the Bisons offense with two shots, both on goal. Jared Nitz played just under 50 minutes in goal for the Bisons and recorded two saves.
 
Georgios Petousis, Jack Savage, Adrian Renteria, Tyler Sterbenz, and Manny Fadel played the full 90 minutes for the Bisons. 
 
Harding will return to play next Thursday October 14 when they travel to Arkadelphia to take on Ouachita Baptist beginning at 4 p.m.