SEARCY, Ark. — Defender Skylar Henley scored from 30 yards out in the 70th minute to lift the Harding women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Southern Nazarene in the Great American Conference Tournament semifinals Friday morning at the Stevens Soccer Complex.
With the win, the Lady Bisons (10-5-3) advance to face Southwestern Oklahoma State in the GAC Tournament Championship match on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Searcy. Southern Nazarene concludes its season at 7-9-2.
Henley's decisive strike came at the 69:54 mark. Following an errant clearance by the Crimson Storm defense, the defender collected the loose ball and unleashed a long-range shot from 30 yards into the top left corner of the net for her first goal of the season.
The Lady Bisons controlled the run of play for much of the match, outshooting Southern Nazarene 18-13 overall, including an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal. Harding also held a 59 percent to 41 percent edge in possession and generated eight corner kicks—all coming in the second half—while conceding just one.
Harding goalkeeper Maysa Willis recorded three saves over 90 minutes to secure the clean sheet and improve her record to 9-4-3 on the season. Willis was tested early by Crimson Storm forward Darby Boehler, making a key stop in the seventh minute and adding two more saves in the second half.
Southern Nazarene goalkeeper Madaline Bullard kept the Crimson Storm in contention throughout the contest, turning away seven shots in the loss.
Harding's backline anchored the shutout over the full 90 minutes, with Henley, Sara Daniel, and Calle Citty playing complete games to preserve the one-goal advantage through a physical final stretch that saw Southern Nazarene whistled for nine second-half fouls.
Sunday's tournament final at the Stevens Soccer Complex will carry an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
