The Pirates' successfully defended their home turf for the third time this season against an Ohio Northern team coming off back-to-back losses against Trine and Wittenberg. The Pirates' were at full-strength for the first time this season with Kortlyn Staub and Skye George both returning from injury. If the Pirates' can stay healthy they will surely be a dangerous team going into their spring break stretch. 

The Pirates' got off to a slow start defensively, allowing four goals in the first quarter while only Emma Pertuit and Deanna Hames managed goals for Southwestern. The Polar Bears seemed in control towards the end of the first, scoring three unanswered goals in six minutes to end the half 4-2.

Ohio Northern added another four goals in the second quarter to bring their total to eight in the half. Although the Pirates' defense has been good in the past two games, it was evident the offense would need to put up a great performance in order to win the game.

And they did just that. The Pirates' outscored the Polar Bears in the second quarter with six goals, good enough to tie the teams at 8-8 going into the half. Everyone was getting in on the action with seven different goal scorers in the first half and four of the goals coming off of assists. 

The Pirates' shut the door on the Polar Bears in the third quarter, putting up another six goals after halftime to match the previous quarter. Southwestern also won the ground ball battle giving the Pirates' much needed possessions, this was thanks to Caden Laflamme-Szakonyi, Sierra Rupp and Kate Vlasek, who each recorded three ground balls apiece. 

The Polar Bears scored three goals in the fourth quarter, but the Pirates' was just too great, killing the clock to come away with a 15-13 win. 

The Pirates' will have a few days to recover before they protect their home field again against the University of Northwestern - St. Paul Eagles this Saturday, March 12th at 12 PM.