After narrowly missing goal on previous shots the Pirates were able to take advantage of a perfectly placed throw-in to defeat the University of Texas at Tyler 1-0 in game two of the Conference Challenge held at Southwestern.

The first half was balanced between the squads. The Pirates took 7 shots while the Patriots had 2 but UTT had three corners in the first half to SU’s 1. Sophomore GK Nick Pierce had a fantastic one-handed save on a header by UTT’s Chris Powell with two and a half minutes remaining in the first half to keep the game locked at zero going into halftime.

Southwestern came out firing on all cylinders as they pressed the Patriots and piled one attack on another. With the continued pressure the Pirates set themselves up for good looks at the goal but were unable to capitalize until the 64th minute when Alex Keller’s throw-in into the box went off the goalkeeper’s hands and fell in front of Throp Arandela (pictured right) who put it in the back of the net to put the Pirates up 1-0.

Shortly after the goal the game was called due to lightning, giving the Pirates the 1-0 win. Southwestern had 14 shots during the game while the strong Pirate defenders held UTT to just three shots. Pierce logged his second career shutout in just as many games for Southwestern.

The Pirates improve to 2-0 and quickly turn around to face a hot Mary Hardin-Baylor team that upset nationally ranked Trinity on Tuesday in their season opener. The game is set to begin following the Trinity/UT-Tyler match at approximately 5:00 pm.