GEORGETOWN, Texas - Southwestern capitalized off of two fouls in the second half to defeat Millsaps College 2-0 in the Pirates' first ever game under the lights. The win improves SU to 5-5-1 on the year and 2-1 in the SCAC while Millsaps drops to 2-6-1 and 0-3 in conference.
Kyle Allen really got things going for Southwestern, dribbling through the Millsaps midfield and ripping a shot from 25 yards out, dead center of goal. With the howling wind his shot curved just right of the upper 90, keeping the game scoreless.
The Pirates were relentless, getting great look after great look but couldn't find the back of the net as the first half wound to a close. SU's first-half dominance was evident as the Pirates led in both the shot count (10-5) and corners (4-1).
Both teams continued to press as the second half got underway but the attacks were fruitless until the Pirates received a penalty kick after a foul in the box on a corner kick in the 56th minute. Matthew Nickell calmly approached the ball and placed the it to the left of the keeper who was diving right to give Southwestern a 1-0 lead.
Thanks to the wind the Majors had four consecutive corner kicks that were extremely dangerous, but the always tough Pirate defense stayed their ground to maintain the slight 1-0 lead.
With 13 minutes to go in the game and Southwestern on the offensive again, Ryan Jensen had a laser of a shot that seemed to be the cushion the Pirates were searching for, but at the last second the ball drifted right and just off frame, keeping SU's lead at just one.
A tackle from behind on a breakaway on Evan Perkins and subsequent red card led to the padding the Pirates needed. With a free kick just outside the 18, Southwestern's first shot was low and hard and saved off the line by the Millsaps' defense and SU's follow was blocked, but fortunately fell at Perkins' feet who put the ball home to give the Pirates the 2-0 lead for the final.
SU led in shots, 19-12, but trailed in corner kicks after the long Majors rally 10-6. Nick Pierce recorded six saves in goal in the shutout win.
The Pirates remain at home to face Rhodes College who lost to Trinity 10-3 on Friday night. Game time is set for 1pm, a change from the original 2pm start time.
