GEORGETOWN, Texas - The Pirates started the season against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders on a warm but beautiful and breezy day in Georgetown Thursday afternoon. 90 minutes was not enough to decide a winner in the opening game of the season as both defenses held strong in the second half after conceding goals in the first.
Most of the first half was played on the Cru side of the field thanks to the strong Pirate attack. Southwestern struck first on a dash through the middle by Rebecca Petro as she split two defenders and put the ball in the back of the net just 7 minutes into the game. The Cru would answer halfway through the first half when Eliza Faillace drove a ball from the center of the 18 into the lower right 90 to even the game. The first half would end at 1-1 with the Pirates leading in shots 5 to 2 and corner kicks even at 1 each.
Much of the second half was back and forth with each defense standing the tests that were thrown their way. The Pirates had a great opportunity to score halfway into the second half as Jillian Curran and Petro passed back and forth to get behind the Cru defense. Curran took the ball deep into the box and made a move on the keeper but was clipped by the keeper to earn a penalty kick. Petro took the shot and missed just wide. Each team missed good opportunities to finish late in the game. With 8 minutes left Maria Pollifrone just missed a diving shot aimed at the left side of the goal after several good passes to put pressure on the Cru defense while UMHB missed a 1 on 1 shot with the keeper with just 4 minutes left.
Overtime started fast and furious with the Cru's Briana Alston getting off a shot just over Pirate keeper Sarah Nonaka that rang off the upper left post. After the shot earlier, the teams would trade possessions, going back and forth across the field only to be stifled by the opposing defense. Pirate first year Kylie O'Connor drove deep into the Cru defense and got off a good shot only to be blocked by a Cru defender. A free kick awarded to UMHB just outside of the box led to a wide shot by Angel Kemmerer and Pirate possession. The Pirates and Cru would finish the first overtime tied.
The second overtime was similar to the first with both teams driving deep into the opponent territory before being stopped and possession taken the other direction. Ultimately neither team was able to score the game winner and the two teams opened the season with a tie.
Southwestern has their first away game of the season as they face Concordia University on Saturday beginning at 6pm.