By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

GEORGETOWN, Texas -- Two teams in Region X of NCAA Division III men's soccer -- Willamette University and Southwestern University (Texas) -- met in the season opener for both squads on Friday, Sept. 1. Southwestern held a modest 9-6 advantage in total shots, but the Pirates placed four shots on target and defeated the Bearcats, 3-0. Sean Kim (Sr., F, Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) led Willamette with three shots, including Willamette's only shot on goal. The Bearcats ended the game at 0-1 while Southwestern moved to 1-0.

Southwestern scored one goal during the first half, which featured plenty of strong defense by both teams. WU and SU each took just three shots in the opening 45 minutes. The goal was scored on a header by Skyler Frey on an assist from Winston Hebert at 28:52.

The Pirates tacked on two goals in the second half. Raghav Sharma provided Southwestern with a 2-0 lead when he scored on a header at 52.46. Michael Grimm recorded an assist on the play. Mofe Ariyo tallied the game's final goal at 71:48 after receiving a pass from Greyson Pinto during a scramble in the goalie box. Ariyo, who was near the end line and just wide of the right post, shot into the top of the net from a difficult angle.

WU goalkeeper Pierluca Carnovale (Sr., GK, Seattle, WA/Ballard HS) made one save for the Bearcats. Brendan Prather, the goalie for SU, also earned one save, as he stopped Kim's shot at 68:35.

The game included 19 fouls, with 12 called on Southwestern and seven against Willamette. Southwestern achieved an 11-4 advantage in corner kicks.

Willamette will remain in Georgetown, Texas, to play the University of St. Thomas (Texas) on Sunday, Sept. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CDT/9 a.m. PDT.