GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - Southwestern University Men's Soccer completed an undefeated regular season SAA conference slate with a win against Rhodes College on Sunday, 3-1. With the victory, Southwestern captured the SAA Regular Season Title with a 15-1-1 overall record and 7-0-1 conference mark. The accomplishment was history as no team in program has ever won a regular season title in the DIII era. Multiple teams have come inches close who paved the way, but the 2026 Southwestern squad broke the barrier that was bound to be broken.
The Pirates entered Sunday with one goal to ignore the noise, take care of business, and win just like they have all season. However, a tie would make the Pirate Co-Champions, but they wanted to no part of sharing a title with Trinity University. Moreover, the Lynx were right behind both squads in third place at 4-1-2 in the SAA.
Southwestern started the day with a quick senior celebration for Cooper Pero, Landon Guenther, and Nico Colegrove. This senior class will go down as the most successful in school history with 51 wins in four years and more importantly now adding conference champ to their belts. All three play very different, but uniquely impactful roles on this program.
The Pirates kept their same starting lineup, jumping out to a strong start once again. Freshman Brady Faulkner had an unbelievable day on the biggest stage with a brace. The freshman's effort sparked the first goal in the 13th minute as Grey Richards played a ball into space and Faulkner ran past his defender with the ball and slotted the open goal past the keeper. His speed with the ball made the goal incredibly impressive on a dime from Richards.
The second goal came on one of the best assists of the season by freshman Oziel Lozano. The freshman beat with multiple defenders with craft dribbling and swing a ball on the ground to sophomore Anthony Peacher who buried it, staying perfectly on sides. Peacher scored his first goal of the season, while Lozano and Faulker were representing the freshman class well.
Southwestern put the game away right out the halftime break with a third unanswered goal. Richards used his on ball speed to beat defenders and fire a shot that was saved by the keeper. However, Faulkner trailed behind and was in the perfect spot for the cleanup goal with another hustle effort goal. The Pirate defense surrendered a late goal with nine minutes left, but never felt threatened to give up more. All four goals were scored or assisted by underclassmen in the win. Moreover, Southwestern has shown they have leaders who will step up in big moments, but they also know how to win games in a variety of ways. This conference title was built months before the season started as this group is one of the most dedicated, disciplined, and selfless group this school has ever seen. The Pirate community can't wait to see them in the conference tournament next weekend.
Southwestern lost an uncharacteristic game against East Texas Baptist on September 4th, 3-1. Since that day, Southwestern rattled off 14 wins and one tie. In those 15 games, the squad has outscored opponents 28-6 and completely locked in defensively while finding a wide range of scorers offensively. That is the mark of a championship team. One that doesn't point fingers off a shocking result and tough end to 2025. The Pirates picked themselves back up and ran the table.
GAME NOTES
- The Pirates will be the No. 1 seed next weekend in the SAA Tournament, hosted by Oglethorpe University.
- Southwestern will play No. 4 seeded Rhodes College again or No. 5 seeded Sewanee.
- The squad finished the year, surrendering nine goals at 0.53 per game.
- They racked up 31 assists opposed to giving up 7.
- Faulkner scored his third and fourth goals of the season as all occured at clutch moments.
- Connor Gritzmacher, Cooper Pero, and Chase Johnson played all 90 minutes in another gritty effort.
UP NEXT
Southwestern travels to Atlanta next weekend for a Friday semifinal matchup at 6 p.m. ET or 5 p.m. CT if you're watching at home in the central time zone.