Pirates Set the Table

Pirates set the table for a showdown with the #1 team in the country by defeating Millsaps College 2-0 on Friday and added another slash in the win column by beating NCAA D-III and SCAC provisional member Birmingham Southern 2-1 on Sunday.

Senior forward Preston Hollis (Austin, TX) led the attack against Millsaps. Late in the first half at the 32nd minute, Hollis flew down the left flank past several defenders and sent a ball across the box to first year Morgan Knobel (College Station, TX) who shot a low ball past the Millsaps keeper for the game winner. This is Knobel's fourth goal of the season and his third game winning goal. The Pirates completely dominated the Majors by winning 10 corners in the first half along with 13 shots.

The Pirates continued the attack and just two minutes into the second half got a goal from Hollis. Sophomore Alex Keller (Houston, TX) sent a through ball into a streaking Hollis who dribbled past the keeper and finished the ball in the open net. This is where the score would stand even after the Pirates had 21 shots on the day and 17 corners. Ryan Tasin (Georgetown, TX) made 3 saves recording his third shutout of the season.

The Pirates then faced the Panthers of Birmingham Southern who dropped down to Division III last year from Division I. Thus, the Panthers still remain at provisional status and the match does not count towards the SCAC record.

The Pirates again found many opportunities on net but struggled to put the Panthers away. Senior David Lozano (Austin, TX) got the scoring started as Kevin O'Neil sent a big ball over the top as Lozano ran right at the keeper and finished it to make it 1-0 twenty minutes in the match. Just ten minutes later the Pirates subbed sophomore Tom Holleman into the match. He immediately made an impact by getting on the end of a Josh Spencer flick off a throw in from Alex Keller. Tom Holleman jumped on the second ball and slapped in on goal but was deflected by the several defenders but was able to fight back and tap the ball in to the net on the goal line. The Pirates gave up a PK in the second half but the score was managed by tough defending and good attacking. The Pirates outshot the Panthers 21-8 and held the advantage in corners 5-2. Ryan Tasin made two saves on the day and got the Pirates back to 8-8 on the year.

After the weekend, the Pirates remain in second place in the SCAC with a 6-1 record, just three points behind the Tigers at 7-0. The Pirates will host the Tigers on November 1, 2008 at Noon for first place in the conference.