SEARCY — Harding scored three first-half goals and held off a second-half push from UT Tyler to earn a 3-1 victory Saturday afternoon at Stevens Smith Soccer Complex.

The Bisons (2-3-1) celebrated the 200th home match in program history with a commanding performance, netting all three of their goals before halftime, the team's first three first-half goals of the season.

Sophomore forward Nojus Grudis opened the scoring in the ninth minute, connecting on a long pass from Brandon Southard and slotting a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner. It was Grudis's third goal of the season. Just 13 minutes later, Robert Garcia Gomez doubled the lead with a strike from 35 yards out, finding the left side of the net for his first goal as a Bison.

Harding capped its dominant half in the 44th minute when Mason Hahn finished a pass from Loveveer Kullar, sending a shot to the bottom right corner to put the Bisons ahead 3-0. It was also his first goal.

UT Tyler responded after the break as Noe Coutino, assisted by Danny DeMarias and Oscar Sosa, scored in the 55th minute. Despite outshooting Harding 18-11, the Patriots couldn't find another breakthrough.

With the win, Harding improved to 2-3-1 on the season while UT Tyler fell to 2-2-1. The Bisons host No. 14 Rogers State in GAC/MIAA action next Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Stevens Smith Soccer Complex.