Strong First Quarter Defeats Pirates

GEORGETOWN, Texas - Fontbonne posted four goals in the opening quarter and Southwestern was unable to make-up the difference as they defeated Southwestern 8-4 on Sunday.

The Griffins' Michael Ciaravino set the tone early on, scoring the first goal of the game unassisted less than two minutes into the contest. Ciaravino added another goal four minutes later, this time assisted by Caleb Harley, and Peter Travis added one more with 4:28 to go in the quarter to give Fontbonne an early 3-0 lead.

Tyler Downing cut the lead to two with an unassisted goal with just over two minutes to go in the first, but Fontbonne added one more just before the end of the quarter to push their lead back to three goals, 4-1.

Defenses took control in the second quarter as the offenses were quieted until Fontbonne scored with 19 ticks left on the clock to lead by four goals, 5-1 at halftime.

After the break Southwestern came out with a new plan and were much more patient offensively. The new tactic worked as Connor Smith punched one home three and a half minutes into the second half. The Griffins scored again with 2:17 remaining in the third quarter and Fontbonne led by four goals once again, 6-2, heading into the final frame.

Jamie Long got hot as the fourth quarter started, scoring two goals assisted by Michael Villa and Downing, to pull the Pirates within two, 6-4, with seven minutes to play.

Fontbonne answered ten seconds later with a goal by Nickols to push their lead back to three and added one more with three minutes remaining to give Southwestern the 8-4 loss.

Statistically the game was equal as each team got off 21 shots and Fontbonne took a slight 27-25 advantage in ground balls. SU was only able to convert on one of their five man-up opportunities while Fontbonne went 0-3.

Long led the Pirates with two goals and Downing added in a goal and assist in the loss. Chris O'Quain recorded five saves in goal.

Southwestern falls to 0-2 on the year and remains at home to face Whittier on March 2nd at 7 p.m. for the Pirates first regular season night game.