The strong Pirate defense, led by first year keeper Sarah Nonaka, played well and fended off the #24 Hardin Simmons University Cowgirls on several occasions.  The Pirates were not able to hold off the Cowgirls for the entire game in a 3-0 loss. 

On a hot and humid day at Southwestern University, just two days after a return from a 3 overtime weekend, the Pirates took the field against #24 Hardin Simmons University looking to notch another non-conference win.  A well played first half ended in a scoreless tie.  The Pirate defense held strong as the Cowgirls managed 10 shots, forcing Nonaka to make 8 saves in the first half. 

Both teams broke through in the second half.  The Cowgirls scored 6 minutes in when Megan Ryan chipped a ball just over the fingertips of a leaping Nonaka to take the advantage 1-0.  Sarah Stansell of Hardin Simmons scored the second goal in the 68th minute after breaking away and beating Nonaka in a 1 on 1 situation.  Hardin Simmons would score the final goal of the afternoon in the 75th minute on a crossing ball.  The aggressive Pirate attack was strong, forcing Rebecca Roth, HSU keeper, to make several fantastic saves, 7 total in the half, to keep the Pirates off the board.  

HSU outshot Southwestern 18 to 10, but the teams were even at 8 shots in the second half.  Each team had 5 corners and Southwestern had 14 saves on the day.  Sarah Nonaka, first year keeper out of Honolulu, made 13 saves on the day to keep the Pirates within striking distance throughout most of the afternoon. 

The Pirates fall to 7-4-1 on the year and will face off against DePauw University at 4 p.m. this Friday in Georgetown.  Southwestern will continue their homestand against Centre College Sunday at 12:30 p.m.