GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - Southwestern University Men's Lacrosse came up short in a tightly contested battle against Centre College in the SAA Home Opener on Sunday afternoon, 9-5. The Pirates drop their fifth straight game against a tough stretch of opponents, falling to 4-6 overall and 0-1 in conference play. 

The Pirates started a new season essentially, competing in the SAA for the second straight season after going 2-4 last year. Centre took down the Pirates last year 13-7 in Danville. 

The Colonels came out hot, scoring the first three goals as the Pirates were looking for their offensive flow. Junior Josh Swandal scored a massive first goal on an incredible individual move and shot from distance. Sophomore Keaten Cox helped cut the deficit to one goal on an assist from senior Matthew Swandal who recently returned from injury. 

Centre scored two minutes later, but the Pirates scored a highlight reel goal to take a 4-3 deficit into halftime. Senior captains Chris Steffek launched a pass the entire length of the field to Jackson Strauser who buried it past the goalie with eight seconds remaining. In the first half, Southwestern uncharacteristically lost five of eight face offs and also committed 11 turnovers. 

Senior Matthew Houtz started the second half with a goal from distance on another assist from Swandal as the Pirates tied the game at four. Houtz netted his ninth goal of the week after the incredible seven-goal performance against Wooster. However, Centre scored three unanswered goals in the third to take a 7-4 lead. 

Houtz earned an assist to Strauser for the goal with ten minutes remaining in the fourth quarter as the Pirates were alive. Despite numerous Pirate chances, Centre converted two more insurance goals to seal the 9-5 victory. 

GAME NOTES

• Turnovers were the difference as Southwestern committed 22 opposed to the Colonels 15. 
• Sophomore Dante Avicolli had 14 saves in his fifth straight double-digit save performance. 
• Steffek had one of his best games with five ground balls, two caused turnovers, and one assist. 
• The five ground balls ties a career high for Steffek. 
• Sophomore LSM Jake Trailer was all over the field with four ground balls and two caused turnovers. 
• Junior Trey Pena was not as dominant as usual, but still totaled his tenth straight game of 50% or higher in face offs at 8 for 16. 

UP NEXT
Southwestern hosts Sewanee on Friday at 6:30 p.m. as we host a Grub n Gameday event with food available.