MISENHEIMER, NORTH CAROLINA - Southwestern University Men's Lacrosse jumped drop their first game of the 2026 season at Pfeiffer University on Sunday in overtime, 13-12. The Pirates fall to 3-1 on the season after the loss to a tough Pfeiffer squad.
The Pirates jumped out to 5-0 start, playing dominant lacrosse. Senior
Matthew Swandal and freshman
Dylan Knighten traded goals with four in the first ten minutes together. Junior
Zach Faubion and sophomore
Cal Stewart scored their first goals of the season, stretching the lead to 8-2.
However, Pfeiffer roared back scoring six unanswered goals, tying the game at eight. Southwestern answered with three straight goals from sophomore
Keaten Cox, senior
Matthew Houtz, and Swandal made it 11-8. The Falcons took a 12-11 lead with under three minutes to play. Houtz scored a clutch goal with 53 seconds to play, sending play into overtime. However, the Falcons earned the win with a goal in overtime.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- Sophomore goalie Dante Avicolli made multiple incredible point blank saves today, finishing with ten. The sophomore currently has a .519 save percentage on the year.
- Junior Trey Pena has become a pivotal weapon for the Pirates, going 17 for 24 on faceoffs. Pena finished the weekend 28 for 39 at 72%.
- Pena also totaled seven ground balls with 16 on the weekend.
- Swandal turned in his best game of the season with three goals and two ground balls.
- Another balanced scoring effort occurred as eight different Pirates found the back of the net.
- Stewart shined with a goal, four ground balls, and two caused turnovers.
UP NEXT
Southwestern has one more road trip before returning home. The Pirates travel to Michigan to take on Kalamazoo College next Friday.
