GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern got off to a hot start and hung on for an 11-6 win over Hope College on a soggy Saturday.
Carter Cowan started things off in a big way, dodging through Hope's defense and setting the tone for the Pirates with a goal one and a half minutes into the game. Cowan added a second goal before Tyler Downing got to work and posted two goals himself in the first quarter to put Southwestern up 4-0 through one.
Hope controlled the second quarter while Southwestern's offense was held scoreless in the frame to cut SU's lead to two, 4-2, by halftime.
The Dutchmen scored the first goal of the second half and seemed poised to tie things up, but the Pirates' Austin Fox had the response. By the end of the third Southwestern had extended their lead to three, 8-5, with goals from Michael Villa, Cowan and Fox.
Two Pirate goals to open the fourth put the nail in the coffin for Hope as Southwestern's defense was nearly impenetrable and Charlie Fisher continued his outstanding play in goal.
Fisher ended the day with 11 saves and was tied for the most ground balls with six with Ross Warkentin and Connor Koper. Warkentin also led the team in caused turnovers with three. Hope's Connor Miedema posted 10 saves in the loss in goal.
Offensively, Cowan led the charge with three goals and one assist while Downing added in three goals and Fox two goals and two assists. Hope was led by Niko Pagkanlungan and Gunnar Elder who had two goals each.
The Pirates actually trailed in the shot count 38-33, but dominated the hustle category of ground balls 41-24. The Pirates also converted on 18 of the 21 clear attempts while Hope was successful on just 17 of 26.
Southwestern improves to 4-2 on the year while Hope remains winless at 0-3. SU remains at home to face Birmingham-Southern on Monday at 7 p.m.