GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - Southwestern University Men's Lacrosse dismantled Berry College from the opening face off on Saturday afternoon at home, 17-8. The Pirates and the Vikings matched up for a winner keeps their season alive game. Southwestern took care of business and advances to the SAA Tournament to play one-seeded Sewanee on Thursday in the semifinals.
The SAA tournament involves four of the top teams, hosted by Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. The Pirates return to the semi's for the second straight year after winning their final three games. Thursday will be rematch of a narrow Pirates loss at home to the Tigers a month ago, 9-7. The Pirates are hungry for redemption against a team who has received national ranking votes.
Southwestern's seniors honored after the game were
Matthew Houtz,
Jackson Strauser,
Chris Steffek,
Will Walsh,
Brock Middleton,
Christian de Groot,
Henry Cool,
Joey Primm, and
Matthew Swandal. The Pirates also recognized key managers
Manny Cepeda,
Will Hersh, and
Mitchell Cangas.
The Pirates used a dominant performance by their seniors who combined for 14 points on Saturday. In a heated rivalry, Southwestern set the tone with three goals in the first five minutes from sophomore
Keaten Cox, Houtz, and Strauser. The Pirates LSM
Jake Trailer connected with
Cal Stewart for the fourth goal. The key was the Pirates ability to finish the quarter strong as the Vikings made a few punches back. Strauser and Matt Swandal both scored in the final minute of play on fantastic passes from Cox. The sophomore attack totaled three points in the first quarter alone as they took a 6-2 into quarter two.
Southwestern kept attacking, led by junior
Trey Pena who won 12 of 13 face offs in the first half. Houtz scored an incredible individual effort goal as the Pirates were down a man to start the second quarter. The Cox and Strauser connection gave the Vikings hell as they traded goals and assists, highlighted by a behind the back goal on a pass from Strauser with 11 seconds remaining. The Pirates led 12-6 at halftime.
The Pirates defense was tough as nails in the third quarter, surrendering zero goals. Freshman
Marshall Mohun joined the party with two goals. Freshman
Austin Egler scored from deep, while Strauser and Matt Swandal also totaled goals, setting the Pirate faithful in celebration at 17-6. The game concluded at 17-8 as the squad put together a full team effort.
GAME NOTES
- Southwestern's struggle has been scoring at home this year at only 7.5 goals per game at home entering this contest.
- The Pirates senior class was not going down, scoring 17 goals in only three quarters.
- Defense was also top tier as sophomore Dante Avicolli racked up 12 saves on only seven goals allowed.
- Sophomore Sam Stillwell was a menace, causing five turnovers for a career high.
- Stillwell is now tied for first in the conference at 1.93 caused turnovers per game.
- The face off team went 21 for 28 as Pena finished 16 for 23 and freshman Dylan Mackie went 5 for 5.
- Pena surpassed 100 ground balls for the season for an SAA leading 106.
- Strauser had five goals and one assist, while Cox also turned in six points with three goals and three assists.
- Houtz also secured a hat trick, notching 90 career goals. He also reached a season-high of 30 goals this year.
- Junior Zach Faubion picked up a career high six ground balls, dominating the midfield.
- The Pirates beat the Vikings to balls all day with 54 ground balls, opposed to 31 from Berry.
UP NEXT
Southwestern hits the airport again to prepare for Sewanee on Thursday at 3 p.m. CT.
