MARYVILLE, TENNESSEE - Southwestern University Men's Soccer continues to find ways to win no matter the time, state, conditions. The Pirates traveled to Tennessee and won the first leg of the road trip against Maryville College, 1-0. The victory marks a 12-game unbeaten stretch at 12-1-1 overall and most importantly 4-0-1 at the top of SAA table.
The Pirates used two massive plays from
Landon Guenther and
TJ Bass and 17 total Pirates for another gritty victory. The matchup marked the first as SAA members as the Pirates have two Tennessee road matches this weekend. The Scots entered play 2-2 in conference play with wins over Centre College and Millsaps College.
Southwestern opened the same starting lineup as Guenther made it clear he was going to be aggressive with three long shots on the first 20 minutes as he's capable of scoring from 30-40 yards out. In the 14th minute,
Daniel Sartorio dished a perfect flick to Guenther who one timed an absolute rocket from 30 yards out into the lower right corner for another highlight reel goal. The senior has scored the Pirates most electric goals this season after another long game-winner against LeTourneau University.
Cooper Pero created multiple other chances in the box, but both squads went into halftime tied as the Pirates dominated play.
Brady Faulkner created an opportunity that nearly gave the Pirates their insurance goal in the 54th minute before the Scots started to find their possession for a drug out last 30 minutes for the Pirates. Bass had a career moment to all but ice the game. A miss played ball and defensive trip by the Pirates led to a wide open breakaway for the Scots with Bass all alone. The sophomore denied the Scots with a beautiful kick save to preserve the 1-0 victory.
GAME NOTES
- Southwestern claims their tenth clean sheet of the season.
- The program record 11, set by the 2025 squad.
- The squad also knows how to win under pressure with seven wins decided by one goal.
- Southwestern's defense has never let a team comeback into a game this season.
- Guenther scores his fourth goal of the season
UP NEXT
Southwestern stays in Tennessee traveling to Sewanee on Sunday.
