With a bitter taste in its mouth, the SU Bucs arrived in Nacogdoches with the knowledge that the day before, SFA had come out and beat the reigning Div B champion St. Ed's Hilltoppers. To further place significance on the game, the local Nacogdoches paper had a picture of the game on the front page of the paper.

SU knew that SFA was a good team, and that they always play til the very end. Past seasons have shown that games between the two schools have been very close.

The game started with SU getting penalty after penalty, as well as making mental mistake after mental mistake. Most of the first quarter was spent on the defensive side of the field as SFA jumped out to a quick lead before SU notched its first goal of the day shortly after on a man-up by Bier. By the end of one, SFA continued to capitalize on SU mistakes and led 4-3.

The second quarter belonged to SU as its potent offense woke up and the effects of a game the day before may have begun to show for SFA. SU ran off five unanswered goals and six for the quarter, and never looked back after that.

Southwestern had a chance to enter the half up 10-5 but on a man- up with less than :40 seconds, but SFA stole the ball and scored on a man down to pull them within three, with a score of 9-6.

The third quarter saw SFA come out with a renewed energy as the third quarter blues affected SU once again, and quickly found a way to tie the game before the 9 minute mark of the quarter.

That is when SU again decided to wake up and run off four unanswered goals, led by Matt Gainey, with two in the quarter to pull its lead to 13-9 at the end of 3.

SU stretched its lead to 15-9 at the start of the fourth and the game was never in doubt after that. As SU started to send in more subs, SFA did make a few goals at the end to make the game close, but SU was able to run the clock out in the end and walk away with its first "earned" victory of the season, against a very good SFA team. The final score was 15-13.

Overall the team is starting to gel and find each others strengths. Several players are legitimate scoring threats at any given time, and SU was able to move the ball well all day. Nine of the 15 goals were off assists, and five came from Jeffcoat alone.

Caldwell and Frank joined the others in scoring and spreading the numbers out. Emmel, notched his first point of his career with a beautiful fast break assist to Frank. Daulton, Jones, and all the third line really are starting to provide some quality minutes for the team.

McCammond and Arrington had some nice plays. All 24 players made it on the field, most multiple times for meaningful minutes. This will only help SU as the season progresses.

Next week SU hosts Tulane. No one is giving the Buc's a chance and that is right where we want to be. A win against Tulane will put SU in a great playoff position and give the young team confidence. SU is home for a several game home stand and plans on making the best of it.

Thanks to the parents that made the trip to Centenary for the fiasco that was, as well as the game against SFA.

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