SEARCY, Ark. – Northwestern Oklahoma State women's soccer opened a crucial Arkansas road swing with a 4-0 loss at Harding University on Thursday.  Entering play just a single point behind Harding in the Great American Conference standings, the Rangers rode into Searcy looking to jump ahead of the Lady Bisons for the fourth and final playoff spot.

Last time out, Harding snapped its five game winless streak with a 1-0 victory over Southern Nazarene University on the road. The Rangers on the other hand, came into Thursday's match fresh off a 2-1 win over in-state rival East Central with hopes of leapfrogging the Lady Bisons in the standings.

Northwestern was however unable to control midfielder Bethany Sutherland, as the junior found the back of the net on three separate occasions to propel Harding to victory. Morgan Springborn scored the Bisons fourth goal and added a pair of assists.

Karla Lopez led the black-and-red with three shot attempts on the evening as Northwestern was outshot by the Bisons 22-8. Despite the shutout, Craig Liddell's Rangers maintained their disciplined play committing only three fouls to Harding's 12.

Up Next
The Rangers will have a day off Friday before returning to the pitch in Arkadelphia for a 1 p.m. contest at Ouachita Baptist on Saturday, Oct. 21. The Tigers are in the midst of a four-game slide at currently sport a 3-10-1 record, sitting one place back of the Rangers in the GAC standings.

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