ABILENE, Texas – Despite being nearly even on shots, Southwestern University men’s soccer team took their first loss of the season, falling 3-1 to the University of Texas-Dallas at the Conference Challenge event held in Abilene.

The Pirates applied pressure early, taking two shots in the first four minutes of the contest, one being a blazing shot by senior Checo Carreon that just missed, ricocheting off the post. Two more offside calls in the 16th and 17th minute kept SU off the scoreboard. UTD was the first on score in the 33rd minute to go up 1-0 and that would remain the score going into halftime.

SU started the second half in similar fashion with two shots within the first five minutes. Six minutes into the second half UTD extended their lead to two. Senior David Lozano narrowly missed bringing the Pirates within one in the 70th minute when his shot hit the post and then Josh Spencer succeeded, scoring on Alex Keller's assist to put the score at 2-1.

The Comets extended their lead in the 87th minute and despite two great shots in the final two minutes by the Pirates, closed out the game to win 3-1.

The match was largely even as the Pirates had 18 shots to the Comets 21. Southwestern had five corners while UTD had six on the afternoon. Sophomore keeper Nick Pierce tallied 11 saves in the barrage of shots.

Southwestern has a quick turnaround as they face Conference Challenge host school Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday at 5:00 pm.