Redshirt freshman Thomas Shults made two overtime saves to help the men’s soccer team secure their first shutout of the season with a 0-0 draw against Ouachita Baptist University on Tuesday. With the tie, the Bisons moved to 2-7-3 on the season.<\/p>\n
The teams played through two overtime periods before ending the game with a draw.<\/p>\n
The Bisons outshot the Tigers 18-15, with 10 shots in the first half. Shults started at goalkeeper after freshman Tyler Melson suffered a concussion last Saturday. Shults ended the non-conference game with five saves.<\/p>\n
“We really couldn’t afford to lose the game,” Shults said, “so it felt good to come in and make saves and keep the shutout.”<\/p>\n
Sophomore forward Dylan Sherrill said he felt the Bisons were the better team despite the final score.<\/p>\n
“We didn’t capitalize on our chances,” Sherrill said. “It was a good game, but we should have won it.”<\/p>\n
Harding played a season-high 20 players in preparation for several must-win conference games.<\/p>\n
Currently ranked fifth in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, the Bisons need to win their remaining conference games to qualify for the conference tournament.<\/p>\n
Sherrill said finishing scoring opportunities has been a problem throughout the season.<\/p>\n
“We’ve had our chances and we’ve hit the post a lot,” Sherrill said. “We just haven’t been able to finish.”<\/p>\n
According to head coach Odie Guzman, the team can create chances, but has struggled to take advantage of them.<\/p>\n
“We can’t seem to put the ball in the back of the net,” Guzman said. “Our defense is good, our midfield is good, but when we have an opportunity to take a shot, we need to make sure it gets in the back of the net.”<\/p>\n
While the team has to finish the season strong, senior forward Cole Walker said he believes the team will play in the conference tournament.<\/p>\n
“We haven’t made it easy on ourselves,” Walker said. “We’ve left most of the work for the end of the season, but we’re confident we can get the job done.”<\/p>\n
According to Sherrill, the team is already playing with a different attitude than they were at the beginning of the season.<\/p>\n
“We have a better mindset,” Sherrill said. “We have more confidence in knowing our goals and being able to achieve them.”<\/p>\n
Guzman echoed the confidence shown by his players.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
“One of the goals for these guys was making the conference tournament,” he said. “I still believe that is a goal that is attainable.”<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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