SAN ANTONIO — The Southwestern men's soccer team suffered its first defeat since Nov. 8, 2019, dropping a 2-1 game to the Willamette Bearcats on a neutral field. 

Junior midfielder Ryan Sato put Willamette on the board just under 24 minutes into the match, finding the back of the net on an unassisted goal on the first score surrendered by Southwestern this season. 

Willamette's Ardem Baronian added the second goal in the second half at the 64:24 mark of the game, cleaning up a shot by Jett Starr that bounced off the right woodwork to give the Bearcats a 2-0 lead. 

Southwestern finally broke through with a goal at the 77:18 mark when Andrew Hernandez found Carr Panetta for the score. The Pirates put up two shots the rest of the way, with neither on goal. Southwestern had a 13-10 edge in shots but put just three on goal. Southwestern (1-1) will remain in San Antonio for a game against Occidental on Sunday, Sept. 5.