Starting the season 8-1, your Southwestern Men’s Soccer team has dominated its schedule so far. Season highlights include a sensational 3-1 victory over the #14 nationally ranked University of Lynchburg and a 2-0 win against Texas Lutheran University, which has received national ranking votes. The squad’s seven-game winning streak is the longest since 2001. Offensively, sophomore forward Grey Richards, senior defender Cooper Pero, and senior midfielder Landon Guenther have each led the team with five, four, and three goals, respectively. Defensively, your Pirates have been anchored by sophomore goalkeeper TJ Bass, with 31 saves, seven shutouts, and two SAA Defensive Player of the Week awards so far this season. Having already secured such dominant wins this season, the sky is the limit for this team. Pirates Men’s Soccer returns Tuesday, October 6th, against Trinity University at 7:30 pm. 

Your Pirates Women’s Soccer team has also performed admirably, going 5-2-2. The squad has been hot this September, winning four of their last six games. Sophomore keeper EJ Searfoss has dominated between the pipes, posting four clean sheets and 45 total saves this year. After a slow start with back-to-back scoreless draws, your Pirates offense is playing well. Junior forward Kristine Garcia leads the attack with nine points and four goals. More impressively, the team has 11 different goal scorers and 13 point scorers this year. This Pirates team is extremely exciting and will only get better as the season continues. Pirates Women’s Soccer returns home on Sunday, October 6th, to face Trinity University at 5:00 pm. 

Your Pirates Football team started the year at home in a tough battle against the McMurry University War Hawks. Despite a hard-fought loss, the Pirates’ defense and special teams stole the show. The defense forced three turnovers, including a 47-yard interception by junior Gilbert Anderson III. Special teams also delivered two fumble recoveries and a touchdown by junior Stephen Fuqua on muffed punts. While the Pirates couldn’t secure the win, their ability to force turnovers leads to a promising future for the squad. The defense stepped up again in the Pirates’ second game, holding Texas Lutheran University to 19 total points. The offense had its best game of the season against Schreiner University, putting up 28 points. Excitingly, the new Multi-Purpose Sport Complex is on schedule and will be ready for its grand opening on October 24th, when the Pirates host Rhodes College. The team is currently on a three-week away stretch, and their next home game will be on October 10th against #9 Trinity University.  

Your Pirates Volleyball team has dominated at home this season, remaining undefeated through four games. Overall, they have played very well and are currently 9-5. Some of the squad’s best wins have come in recent weeks as they beat Hendrix College 3-1, which has received national ranking votes, and last Tuesday’s sweep of Schreiner University 3-0. Offensively, junior right-side hitter Sophia Burke, sophomore outside hitter Tatum Ahrens, and freshman outside hitter Evamarie Planchet lead the Pirates offensively with 138, 109, and 103 kills, respectively. Junior libero Izzy Rodriguez leads the squad defensively with 239 digs. Additionally, freshman setter Caroline Srubar commands the middle of the court with 418 assists in 14 matches. Your Pirates Volleyball squad returns to Georgetown on Wednesday, October 7th, against Concordia University. 

Your Pirates Cross Country team is off to a hot start this year, with both the Men’s and Women’s squads performing strongly. The Women’s team won the first meet of the year, the Stormy Seas Opener hosted by Southwestern. Led by sophomore Addison Jackson, who secured first overall in her division, the team placed five runners in the top 20 overall and dominated the meet. The Men’s team did nearly as well, placing second in the Stormy Seas Opener. True freshman Aiden Ramirez led the team with a seventh-place finish, and the team performed well overall, finishing with a sub-20-minute time in the event. Ultimately, both teams have started the season exceptionally well, and they will be playing in Grand Prairie, Texas, against Dallas Baptist University on October 17th.