TAHLEQUAH – No. 22 Northeastern State returns to action following a nine-day break from the pitch and will open conference play Saturday afternoon with Harding.

The RiverHawks will be seeking its fourth consecutive conference opening win and have recorded two consecutive shutouts. 

Northeastern State vs. Harding  // September 23 at 1 p.m. // Live Coverage

History with the Bison
Northeastern State is 25-1 all-time against Harding and is 14-0 when facing the Bison in Tahlequah.  The RiverHawks have shut out Harding in four consecutive matches.

Scouting the Bison (2-3-1 / 0-0 GAC/MIAA)
- Harding will open its conference season at Ouachita Baptist on Thursday prior to traveling to NSU.
- Teams have scored against Harding in 11 consecutive matches 
- The Bison has recorded a GAC/MIAA high 34 saves.
- On the road this season Harding is 1-2-1. 

Fast Facts
- In the last meeting between the teams in Tahlequah on Oct. 20, 2022, the RiverHawks were on the attack early, thanks to two goals in the first 15 minutes from Flynn Semmerling. It was Semmerling's second brace and third multi-goal performance of the 2022 campaign. Meanwhile, the NSU defense limited the Bison to three shots on goal across the match to help secure the 2-nil victory.
- The RiverHawks have connected on multiple goals across the entirety of their six-match winning streak against the Bison, highlighted by a four-goal effort in Searcy, Ark. last season on Sept. 15 and a five-goal performance in Tahlequah on Nov. 7, 2019. 
- This is Harding's first trip to the Sooner state in 2023. The Bison are winless in contests played in Oklahoma across the last two seasons, with their most recent victory coming against Southern Nazarene in Bethany on Apr. 3, 2021. 

In the Rankings
- The RiverHawks moved up one spot in the United Soccer Coaches poll and are No. 22 nationally. 
- Northeastern State's defense is eighth nationally in goals against average per match (.400).
- Ian Milla is eighth nationally with three shutouts on the year and is 18th overall with a .875 save percentage. 
- Ivan Lopez ranks seventh in the national ranking with 2.60 shots on goal per game. 

Coming Up 
Northeastern State will remain at home to host Rogers State on Sept. 28.