MEMPHIS, Tenn. - In their opening game of the season the Pirates posted big numbers in the second and third period to defeat Rhodes 12-6 on Friday night.

The game was close in the first quarter as each team posted two goals in the frame. Austin Fox got his first goal as a Pirate just over three minutes into the game. Rhodes responded with two goals to take a brief 2-1 lead, but Jackson Timian's goal, assisted by Jeremy Tufnell, with just 11 seconds on the clock tied the score heading into the second quarter.

SU turned up the heat in the second with five goals while the defense went on lock down, allowing just one Lynx goal to lead by four, 7-3, at halftime.

A man-down goal by Jamie Long 1:15 into the third quarter kicked things for for SU and brought their lead to five, 8-3. Rhodes pushed back with back-to-back goals to cut into Southwestern's lead, but the Pirates were too mighty as they added four more goals to arrive at the 12-6 final.

Southwestern dominated the shot count 46-20 and converted on all 25 clear attempts. Fox and Michael Villa led the scoring with three goals each while Long added two goals and a team high three assists in the win.

The Pirates start the year at 1-0 while Rhodes drops to 0-1. Southwestern travels to Conway, Ark. to face former SCAC-rival Hendrix on Sunday.