In a match where Southwestern dominated every offensive category, the Pirates only came away with a 1-1 tie against the Huston-Tillotson Rams. 

The Pirates were in control on offense from the very beginning of the game, possessing the ball in their attacking third for most of the first half. The attack from the Pirates was relentless as they totaled six corner kicks and 12 shots in the first 45 minutes of play. 

Southwestern's first goal of the season came on a free kick from Laren Gradt in the 32' minute. Gradt's kick might as well have been a corner kick given her placement on the field; she sent the ball to the middle of the field, the ball bounced, was passed on one touch from Abby Castelli, and fell right in front of Juliet Pridgen. Pridgen shot the ball over the diving goalkeeper for the goal and a 1-0 lead. 

Southwestern would continue to control the ball for the rest of the half, going into halftime up 1-0, having all of the momentum. The Rams were spirited defensively making the Pirates work for corners and shots, however, they were unable to move the ball consistently and ended with only two shots in the first half. 

The second half started much like the first with the Pirates controlling possession and continuing to put pressure on the Ram's defense. But in the 64' minute, the Rams broke away on a counterattack, Lesly Davila of the Rams made a run past a Pirates defender, shot across her body, and scored to tie the game at 1-1. 

After the Ram's goal, it was evident that Huston-Tillotson gained confidence and the momentum. They began to press more on their offensive end, generating eight shots compared to the two they had in the first half. Although the Pirates had four corner kicks, four saves in the second half for the Rams kept the Pirates from scoring another goal. 

Nineteen total shots and ten corner kicks yielded one goal for Southwestern, but seven saves from Huston-Tillotson as well as capitalizing on their limited opportunities kept the Pirates from getting their first win of the season.

The Pirates continue looking for their first victory when they face the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs at Varsity Field on Friday, September 16th at 7:30 PM.

Photo by Carlos Barron