Mount Berry, Georgia - The Southwestern University Pirates will start their season 0-1 after the Berry College Vikings scored a goal to go up 11-12 in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.

The Pirates put pressure on the Vikings' defense early, cranking out 14 shots and three goals in the first quarter, leading 3-2 going into the second. First-year attackman Cade McDonald made his presence known early, scoring a slick backhand goal over a Vikings defender. Each attackman notched a point in the first, with junior lefty Matt Caldwell scoring off an assist from senior Nick Doxey. 

The Pirates continued their run-and-gun style in the second quarter, putting up four goals on 10 shots. Doxey scored his first goal of the season off an assist from McDonald. McDonald continued to add to his points total with a goal to end a Pirate man-down situation. 

All was looking well for the Pirates as goaltender Nate Blair denied the Vikings with a 64 percent save percentage in the first half. The Pirates' offense ground to a halt after incurring five penalties within the last nine minutes of the second half. The Pirates' defense was able to hold strong and not allow any man-down scoring opportunities for the Vikings and the Pirates were able to go into the half up 7-4.

The Vikings opened up the scoring in the second half to bring the total to 7-5. After a physical third quarter, Caldwell converted a man-up goal for the Pirates. Caldwell would finish with a hat trick and an assist on the night. A three-goal third quarter for the Vikings would bring them to a one goal deficit, trailing only 8-7 going into the fourth. 

In a thriller of a final quarter, the Vikings scored an efficient five goals on 11 shots, including a last-second goal to end the game. The Pirates did all they could and Blake Sitterly tied the game at 10-10 midway through the final quarter. Cade McDonald finished with a goal that tied the game at 11-11 with a minute left to complete a hat trick, however the Berry offense proved to be too much for the Pirates in the final quarter. 

The Pirates will take on the BSC Panthers in Birmingham, Alabama this Sunday, Feb. 13, at 12pm.