GEORGETOWN, Texas - Two goals in the first half were all the Pirates needed to earn their first conference win, christening the new lights at Southwestern's field. The win improves the Pirates to 5-4-1 on the year and 1-2 in the SCAC while Millsaps drops to 4-7 and 1-1 in conference play.
Southwestern started out with a strong attack, playing balls aggressively ahead to their forwards, but with the gusting winds at their backs the balls rolled out of harm's way.
Millsaps may have gotten the first shot off in the contest, but Southwestern returned the favor on the counter-attack to score first. Sarah Nonaka saved the Major's long, bouncing shot and punted the ball ¾'s of the way down field to Rebecca Petro. Petro made a great touch to settle the ball with her back to goal and played the ball out to Danielle De Los Santos (pictured). De Los Santos made two touches aggressively up field and played ahead to Jillian Curran. Curran took advantage of the wind a drove a shot from 25 yards out from the right of the goal that drifted into the left back corner to put the Pirates up 1-0.
The Pirates made it a 2-0 lead in the 20th minute when Chelsea Letzer found De Los Santos open for a shot and De Los Santos took advantage, drilling the ball into the back of the net.
Southwestern maintained control the rest of the second half, rarely allowing the Majors into their half of the field and took the 2-0 lead into the break.
SU looked to extend their lead with some good looks in front of goal by Maria Pollifrone and Rebecca Petro ran down a ball with the keeper out of the box, but neither could get the final touch they needed to put the ball away and the count remained 2-0 through 65 minutes of play.
As the lights kicked to life for the first time during competition the Pirates seemed to gain new energy as they picked up the pace and formulated one aggressive attack after another.
Millsaps pressed to the end of the game, attempting to use the still gusting winds to their advantage but it was to no avail as the Pirate defense held strong.
Southwestern led in both the shot count (11-7) and in corner kicks (3-2). De Los Santos had a banner night to lead the way for the Pirates with one goal and one assist. Nonaka and MC's keeper Molly Beth Jourdan both recorded three saves on the evening.
The Pirates remain at home as they face Rhodes College on Sunday. Game time has been changed to 11:00 am from the original noon start time.