GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Southwestern University men's lacrosse team finally broke the five-year losing streak to Birmingham-Southern winning 12-11 in today's home match on Varsity Field. 

Since 2015 Southwestern had struggled to win against the Panthers, who scored two goals within the first six minutes of the game, giving them an early lead over the Pirates. However, in face-offs Pirates went 5-5 in the first period with Hudson Bearden and Zane Abbott winning every start which lead to Tommy Saueressig and Jacob Hamilton scoring two goals to end the first period tied. 

In the second period, the Pirates kept up with Birmingham-Southern, answering back every goal that was scored by the Panthers. With no one main go-to scorer, Jack Doloszycki, Hamilton, Tyler Johnson and Nick Doxey scored goals for the Pirates to have the lead 6-5 before the half. 

Once again going into the third period both teams were neck and neck keeping the score tied or just one goal ahead. However, in the fourth period, Jack Carolan, Zac Asbury and Blake Sitterly scored three back to back goals giving the Pirates the first real lead in the game, 11-8. Though this did not sit well with the Panthers who came back to score two goals in the fourth remaining minute followed by a third goal to make the score 11-12 with the Pirates ahead by one goal. 

With three minutes left in the game, Southwestern tried to run out the clock to keep the Panthers away from the Pirate goal. With a turnover by Birmingham-Southern, the Pirates took advantage by taking their time attacking the Panther net. With one shot by Asbury that came off the post, Saueressig picked up the crucial ground ball to give the Pirates more time on the clock and another possession which secured the Pirates another home victory.

Southwestern forced 22 turnovers, getting two caused turnovers each from Tyler Santos, Matt Minnick, Paul Zajac, Zane Abbott, Aidan Gildea, Bailey Middleton and one caused turnover from Sean Tracy. 

Doxey finished with three goals on five shots for the high scorer followed by Hamilton who scored two goals off six shots. Doloszycki, Carolan, Johnson, Asbury, Sitterly, Saueressig and  Cody Foster had a goal each. Alex Melitz had nine saves on 20 shots on goal for the Pirates.

Up next, the Pirates will host another home game in Georgetown next Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. against Berry College.

For more SU Pirate photos, please see Carlos Barron Photography