GEORGETOWN, Texas — Freshman forward Samantha Hazen produced an impressive first collegiate goal, scoring the game-winner in the Southwestern women's soccer team's 2-1 victory over the University of Texas at Dallas Comets in the season opener. 

Hazen scored on a breakaway opportunity created by a long pass over the top from Sydney Boswell, booting it out of Southwestern's defensive third. Hazen was able to get between Texas-Dallas's final two backline defenders, receiving the ball on an inside pivot to split the backline. From there, she showcased tremendous speed with the ball, separating from the two defenders to create a one-on-one opportunity with the Comets' keeper, running right and sending the ball past Mariana Gonzalez to the left. 

It was the deciding play in a game with an even distribution of shots (Southwestern 13 to Texas-Dallas's 12) and corner kicks (six each). 

The Pirates capitalized on an early corner kick when Hanna Sanderson found Juliet Pridgen near the far back corner of the net for the ninth goal of her career, giving Southwestern a 1-0 lead just under eight minutes into the match. 

Southwestern took a 1-0 lead into the half, but Texas-Dallas struck early in the second on a goal by fifth-year senior midfielder Keely Fillman to tie the game. 

The Pirate defense held the Comets to just five shots on goal, with sophomore goalkeeper Johnna Campbell stopping four. After Hazen's goal at the 62:47 mark, Southwestern's swarming defense managed to hold Texas-Dallas to just a single shot the rest of the way. 

"It's great to start the season against a tough opponent, and it was a fun game to play," Southwestern head women's soccer coach Linda Hamilton says. "This was a good team win, and we will look to use that momentum moving forward."

After their season-opening win, the Pirates will remain at home, hosting Sul Ross State on Friday, Sept. 3 at 5:00 p.m., and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Monday, Sept. 6 at 7:00 p.m.