GEORGETOWN, Tex. – The Southwestern University men's soccer team remained in second place in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference with a 2-0 decision over Texas Lutheran on Saturday night.
The Pirates (6-5-2, 4-2 SCAC) used a pair of late second half goals to record the victory despite on managing three shots on goal for the entire contest.
Converting shots on goal is more important than the number of shots on goal a team can muster as the Pirates were better than the Bulldogs in that aspect of the game in this match.
The Pirates first goal was set up by a beautiful pass from Skyler Frye from near midfield into the top of the penalty box and a Texas Lutheran defender misplayed the ball touching it with his hand and called for the foul giving Southwestern a penalty kick opportunity.
Frey stepped up to the spot and buried the ball past TLU's Noel Pena and into the back left of the netting at the 75:10 mark in the second half for what would prove to be the game-winning goal.
Caleb Allen's beautiful dribbling to get open just inside the left half of the penalty box and an even prettier centering pass to the waiting foot of Greyson Pinto was just what the Pirates needed to go up 2-0 as the entire bench stormed Pinto to celebrate the insurance tally with just 9:46 to go in the game.
Texas Lutheran still did not roll over and let the Pirates win without a fight as the Bulldogs tried to make a feverish comeback with three shots on goal inside the final 8:00, but Jack Viles was up to task stopping all three during the barrage and six total for the match.
The raucous crowd of 350 at Southwestern's Varsity Field were treated to some top-notch soccer by two really good teams that were battling for a spot in the SCAC postseason tournament. Both teams have upcoming contests against Dallas and Austin.
One win or two ties by the Pirates will wrap up a spot in the SCAC tournament, but Southwestern can potentially earn the top overall seed with two wins and anything but a Trinity University sweep of its final two regular-season contests.
UP NEXT
It is one match at a time, however, and where the Pirates finish in the SCAC standings will be determined in due time. First up will be the short trek to Sherman, Texas, to take on the homestanding Austin College Roos at 8 p.m. CDT on Friday, Oct. 28. Austin College's Pierce Complex will be the host site for the SCAC tournament.