GEORGETOWN, Texas - It was a brisk night on the pitch at Southwestern but that didn't stop the fans from coming out in droves for the dual between Southwestern and #1 Trinity. SU played well but was bested by the Tigers 2-0.
Southwestern was a little jittery to start and Trinity took advantage, pressing hard on the Pirate defense and got a couple of solid looks at goal. However, SU's defensive line held strong and stunted the attacks.
Southwestern got their first real look at the goal as Marco Alcocer played the ball from midfield to Evan Perkins streaking up the near sideline. Perkins, not having numbers, smartly played back to Zach Faulkner who crossed the ball into the box. Alcocer was just inches away from the header, but Cardone got his hands on the ball to keep Southwestern out of the net.
Trinity worked patiently to get the ball into the box and got a couple of good looks at goal saved by Daniel Poole. With just under 15 minutes to play in the half the Pirates got the best look of the game when Cardone misplayed the ball out of the box to Ryan Staten's feet 22 yards from goal. His shot was aimed perfectly to fall just under the crossbar, but Cardone punched it out of danger.
Trinity got the first goal of the match in the 34th minute, taking advantage of a slip from SU's defense, allowing Trinity to get behind Southwestern. Nima Naderi played a lofting cross inside the six yard box, pulling Poole out of goal to make a play on the ball. He narrowly missed the ball which landed at Darren McAfee's feet for the easy one touch goal.
A very physical and at times frantic first half gave way to a steady, strategic second half as each team patiently looked for ways to break through each other's defense. After trading shots the Tigers earned some cushion with an extremely unselfish play in the box. Naderi played the ball from the right of the goal five yards to McAfee who seemed poised to take the shot, but instead chose to touch over to Tom Carwile for the open one-touch shot two yards from goal.
Even down two goals Southwestern never ceased their attack as they punched back at the Tigers. The best look came as Alcocer served the ball in to Timothy Eamma whose shot veered just left of the post. None of the looks would fall, however, as the game closed 2-0.
Trinity outshot the Pirates 22-6 and had four more corner kick opportunities. Poole was kept busy in goal and recorded nine saves in the match while Cardone posted three.
With the loss Southwestern falls to 8-6 on the season and 2-3 in the SCAC while Trinity improves to 11-0-1 and 5-0. The Pirates remain at home to take on Centenary College on Friday night at 6 p.m. to kick off the second round of SCAC action.