SEGUIN, Texas – Southwestern overcame a two goal deficit late to force overtime against Texas Lutheran, but the Bulldogs scored midway through the extra frame to hand the Pirates a 3-2 loss.
Texas Lutheran came out aggressive, looking early to defend their home turf with an offside call and shot in the first 12 minutes.
Southwestern was just ten seconds away from getting out of the first half unscathed, but that was until TLU's Alejandro Martinez scored his fourth goal of the season. Martinez, assisted by Colin Nunley, scored off a free kick from 30 yards out to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead at the break.
The Pirates came out of halftime strong and launched shot after shot on frame, but TLU's keeper Jonathan Michael made the saves to keep the Pirates off the board.
TLU made it a two goal lead in the 84th minute as Isaac Lopez fed Lalo Ramirez who snuck the ball into the back of the net.
With time working against them the Pirates refused to go quietly into the night, closing the gap one minute later with Clay Martin's first goal of the season, assisted by Zach Faulkner.
The clock continued to roll but with 30 seconds remaining in the game SU scored the equalizer. Michael Oliveras stole the ball and beat Michael in goal to tie the game just before the final buzzer.
The game rolled into overtime and both teams pressed hard, but it was the Bulldogs that stole the thunder as Alejandro Martinez scored the game winner five minutes into the extra frame.
Southwestern had three more shots than the Bulldogs in the loss but had two fewer corners. Carmichael posted two saves as did his counterpart, Michael.
The Pirates fall to 5-8-1 on the year and 5-4-1 in the SCAC but remain in sole possession of third place. TLU improves to 6-6-2 overall and 4-5-1 in conference action and pulls within one game of the Pirates for the #3 slot in the SCAC Championship. With three games remaining the Pirates have all but secured a spot in the post season and can lock up their bid with a win against Schreiner University on Sunday. Game time is set for one in Kerrville, Texas.