GEORGETOWN, Texas – The wind may have been calm in Central Texas but the Pirates' were anything but with a flurry of activity as they faced University of Texas Tyler on Friday afternoon. Southwestern emerged victorious, 2-1, over the Patriots to improve to 2-1-1 on the season.

Southwestern had the first great look of the game when Lindsay Jakszta lofted the ball over UTT's defense to Jillian Curran running toward the goal, but Curran was called offside in the attack.

In the 14^th minute the Patriot had a counter attack that seemed poised to score a goal when Jordan Johnson fed Charity Shipman who broke away from the defense at midfield, but SU keeper Sarah Nonaka came charging out of goal to clear the ball out of the box, ending the threat. 

The duo of Johnson and Shipman paired up again in the 28^th minute but Nonaka was once again there to stop the attack, sprawling out in front of Shipman's shot 10 yards from goal.

Southwestern went back on the offensive after the scare, but their crosses were blocked by Tyler's defensive line, keeping the attack from materializing. The Pirates took the lead in the 35^th minute on a perfectly executed free kick by Laura Ornelas. Ornelas lofted the ball perfectly from 24 yards out to Hannah Neil (pictured) waiting on the 6-yard box line. Neil headed the ball to the right of the keeper who was tracking left to put SU up 1-0.

In the 43^rd minute Southwestern had a chance to push their lead to two on another free kick, this time from just 20 yards out. Claire Matthews stepped up to take the direct kick and struck the ball perfectly but it sailed just an inch too high, bouncing off the bottom side of the crossbar, landing in front of the goal. SU kept the 1-0 lead heading into the break and held a slight advantage on shots (7-6) and had three more corner kick opportunities than the Patriots (3-0).

Both teams worked to find their rhythm again as the second half got underway and it was Southwestern that had the first strong attack of the game. Curran fought hard to win the ball from UTT's Karleigh Ford in the backfield and headed the ball forward to Maria Pollifrone. Pollifrone, one-on-one with substitute keeper Paige Harris, shot low but Harris went down with her for the save.

Southwestern had another great attack in the 67^th minute with Curran feeding Rebecca Petro down the right side. Petro ran the ball down and dropped it back to Paige Duggins at the 18-yard box line. Duggins fed Curran in stride right in front of the goal on the six yard box, but her one touch shot curved just right of the goal.

Curran put the Pirates up by two after a great defensive stand by Ornelas. Ornelas took down UTT's #5 one-on-one ten yards from goal and cleared the ball up the line to Duggins. Duggins turned and continued the attack, playing Curran down the right side. Curran received the ball and drove deep into Patriot territory before cutting the ball back towards the middle. She dribbled through three UTT defenders, attempted a shot that was blocked and then gathered her own rebound, took one touch to the left and drove the ball into the back of the net.

UT Tyler attempted a comeback, scoring on a free kick in the 87^th minute. Lindsey Halbrook served the ball into the box and Christina Mendoza was able to get her head on it less than six yards out to pull the Patriots within one. It proved too little, too late for UTT as the Pirates were able to maintain possession and control of the game for the final minutes to take the 2-1 win.

Southwestern had the advantage in shots, taking 15 to the Patriots 12 and each team had four corner kicks. Sarah Nonaka recorded four saves while the UTT keepers had seven on the afternoon.

The Pirates continue their home stand on Sunday afternoon as they face a talented UT Dallas team. Game time is slated for 2:00 pm.