SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Southwestern University took advantage of a foul in the box as Matthew Nickell's penalty kick scored the only goal of the evening as the Pirates upset #10 Trinity on Tuesday.
Trinity was sharp early as they fired off multiple shots including 14 in the first 23 minutes of the first half. Southwestern's defense held strong and forced the Tigers into tough shots they were unable to convert on. By the end of the first frame the Tigers had taken 19 shots while Southwestern was unable to get one good look at goal. Daniel Poole recorded five saves in the half.
The Pirates regrouped and came out renewed in the second half, taking two of the first three shots of the half, spelling impending doom for the Tigers.
Southwestern got the break they needed as Darren McAfee fouled in the box and received a yellow card in the 73rd minute. Nickell addressed the ball with the confidence only a senior captain could possess and easily placed the ball in the back of the net for the game-winner.
The Pirates defense took control from that point to close out the win. Poole set a new SU record with 15 saves in the contest, besting the old mark by one set by Steven Harben against Rowan University on October 11, 2002.
Southwestern improves to 4-2 on the season with the win while Trinity falls to 2-3-1. The Pirates remain on the road as they travel to Washington to face Pacific Lutheran on Friday at 5 p.m. PST.