WEATHERFORD, Okla. – SWOSU Soccer fell to Harding 3-1 Thursday afternoon at the Athletic Complex for just their second Great American Conference loss of the season.
Sandra Nabweteme was the highpoint of the match, scoring the lone goal for the Dawgs on the day.
Alimata Rabo wasted no time at the start of the game, getting a one-on-one with Harding's goalkeeper Jessica Woessner 39 seconds into the match, but Woessner made a great one-handed save to deter the shot and keep the game at 0-0. That was the best opportunity of the half for the Bulldogs, as they failed to net a ball in the period. Both teams battled for shots in the early going, but it was Harding who managed to break the scoring drought with 10 minutes to go before halftime, courtesy of a cross pass that Harding's leading scorer Bethany Sutherland was able to kick home. Going into the locker room, Harding led the Dawgs 1-0.
In the 53rd minute, after a stolen pass, it was Nabweteme who scored the first goal of the second half. The freshman was able to beat the goalkeeper and net the equalizer to give SWOSU new life tied 1-1. HU was able to respond however, after another cross pass found a Lady Bison attacker that was able to kick it in for the score in the 71st minute. Harding then added another insurance goal in the 89th minute to put the game out of reach at 3-1 just before the end of the match.
Despite outshooting the Lady Bisons in the game 17-11, the Bulldogs were only able to produce one score on the day. Nabweteme's goal was the 18th score for the freshman this season, tying Rabo for the team lead. The pair's 18 goals are also good enough for second in all of NCAA Division II for goals scored.
The Bulldogs (10-3-1, 7-2 GAC) still remain atop the GAC standings even with the loss, and now turn their attention to Ouachita Baptist in a top-two showdown in the conference standings. The two will play on Saturday, October 22 out at the Athletic Complex starting at 11 am.
