SEARCY, Ark. — A spirited second-half response from the Harding men's soccer team was not enough to overcome an early deficit as the Bisons fell 4-2 to Ouachita Baptist on Thursday night at the Stevens Soccer Complex.
Harding (0-12-0, 0-6-0 GAC) found itself trailing 4-0 early in the second half after Ouachita Baptist (6-4-1, 3-3-0 GAC) capitalized on first-half chances and an early turnover following the break. The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening 45 minutes with goals from Andrew Castellanos in the 13th minute, a Nathan Buwemi penalty kick in the 28th minute, and a Hector Ramos tap-in off a rush in the 39th minute. Buwemi struck again just 56 seconds into the second period to extend the visitors' lead.
Refusing to fold, the Bisons mounted a fierce comeback attempt, striking twice within a two-minute span.
In the 56th minute, Reik Barrack drew a foul inside the box and converted the resulting penalty kick, driving his right-footed shot straight down the center to put Harding on the board. Moments later, in the 58th minute, defender Dylan Chambers notched his first goal of the season, rising to head home a pinpoint cross from Noah Legge to slice the deficit to 4-2.
Harding continued to apply heavy pressure throughout the second half, outshooting the Tigers 10-7 in the final period and earning eight second-half corner kicks. Nojus Grudis led the Bisons' attack with five total shots, including two on target, while Barrack added four shots.
Overall, Harding matched Ouachita Baptist in overall chances, generating 18 total shots (nine on goal) to the Tigers' 19 shots (10 on goal). The Bisons also finished with a 10-4 advantage in corner kicks.
Harding will be back in action Saturday when it hosts Southern Nazarene at 10 a.m.
