SHAWNEE, Okla. — Behind a hat trick from midfielder Katie Jones and a three assist performance from forward Gabie Eddins, the Harding women's soccer team exploded for five goals Saturday afternoon, rolling to a 5-2 victory over Oklahoma Baptist in Great American Conference action at the OBU Soccer Complex.
The win moved Harding to 3-4-1 overall and 2-1-0 in GAC play, while Oklahoma Baptist fell to 1-8-0 overall and 0-4-0 in conference action.
Jones put on an offensive showcase for the Lady Bisons, putting all three of her shots on goal past the keeper for her first career hat trick. Eddins anchored the attack as a distributor, setting up a career high three of Harding's five tallies on the day.
It was the 26th hat trick in Harding program history and the 18th in a conference game.
Jones wasted no time putting the Lady Bisons on the board, striking in the sixth minute (5:49) off a feed from Bree Williamson at the top left of the box. Oklahoma Baptist answered quickly in the eighth minute (7:02) when Hope White chested in a free kick from Elena Markwell to level the match at 1-1.
Harding retook the lead just before halftime when Sami Berry headed home a corner kick delivered by Eddins and Sara Daniel in the 43rd minute (42:37) for her first goal of the season.
The Lady Bisons pulled away with a rapid two-goal burst mid-way through the second half. Mykala Ulrich extended the lead to 3-1 in the 64th minute (63:36) off an assist from Norah Neely. Less than a minute later (64:24), Jones netted her second goal of the day, heading in a 5-yard cross from Eddins to make it 4-1.
After Oklahoma Baptist's Annelis Perez cut the margin to 4-2 on a unassisted strike in the 75th minute (74:05), Jones sealed her hat trick in the 79th minute (78:15), tapping in another pass from Eddins off the left end line.
Goalkeeper Emerson Simmons played all 90 minutes in net to earn the victory for Harding.
Harding returns home to Searcy on Thursday, Oct. 1, hosting Northwestern Oklahoma at the Stevens Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
