MANKATO, Minn. — The No. 3-ranked Minnesota State Mavericks used a pair of second-half goals to defeat the Harding Lady Bisons 2-0 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament. The loss concluded the season for the Lady Bisons (12-7-2) and brought a close to the 25-year career of retiring Harding head coach Dr. Greg Harris.

The Mavericks (18-1-3) finally broke through a staunch Harding defense and an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Maysa Willis in the 71st minute before adding an insurance goal late in the contest.

Willis kept the Lady Bisons in the match, recording 12 saves against a relentless Mavericks attack that totaled 25 shots, 14 of which were on goal. Minnesota State dominated possession, firing 12 shots in the first half alone, but Willis turned away every attempt to send the teams into the break scoreless.

The Mavericks found the back of the net at the 70:34 mark when substitute Amara Smith scored the game-winner, assisted by Mila Rustin. Maille Mathis added the second goal at 84:01, assisted by Anna Van Wyngarden.

Harding struggled to generate offense against the region's top seed, finishing with just four shots—two on goal.

The loss also concluded the team's first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2016.