A slow start for the Pirates in Abilene led to three goals in the first half for the Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls.

The Cowgirls shooting percentage was deadly in the first half, shooting 43 percent on seven shots with three goals. The Pirates managed five shots of their own in the first half, as well as four corner kick chances, but Southwestern just wasn't able to convert on their opportunities. 

The Pirates picked up the pace in the second half both offensively and defensively. Goalkeeper Johnna Campbell had four saves in the second half against eight shots and had six total saves on the night. The offense upped their shot total in the second half with seven shots and four of those being on goal, however, the Pirates were still unable to convert on their chances. Samantha Beane and Laren Gradt both led the Pirates in shots-on-goal with two apiece.

"Hardin-Simmons is a good and well-organized team. We played a much better second half after a slow start, creating more corner kicks and giving ourselves a chance, but we just couldn't execute in the final third of the field," recalls Head Coach Linda Hamilton. 

After being on the road for the first two weeks of the season, the Pirates will have their home opener on Monday, September 12th at 6:00 pm against an 0-1 Huston-Tillotson University.