Earlier in the year, the Bears endured a very physical matchup in non-conference play against Pearl River. In Friday's conference opener at home against No. 6 Jones, the level of physicality was at a new high. Unfortunately for the Bears a goal by the Bobcats early in the second half proved to be the difference as Southwest fell 1-0.
 
"That was physical and a tough one," Southwest head coach Zach Mills said.
 
The Bears (3-1-2) knew that it was going to be a tough task against a highly-ranked team, but they showed a high-level of intensity. Their hard work pushed the ball up the field but they were unable to finish as the Bobcats defense clamped down.
 
Jones returned the favor on the other end, however, the Bear defense flexed its muscle, led by the reigning three-time MACCC conference Goalkeeper of the Week, Loan Marin.
 
But early in the second half, with both teams still looking for their first scores, it was the visitors who jumped ahead finding a narrow window as a short-range shot deflected off of a Bobcat before hitting the back of the net putting the Bears down 1-0.
 
"Threading the needle, they just had that one opportunity to get through," Mills said. "It was a deflection goal and those always hurt."
 
The Bears tried to pull even and had some opportunities, but were unable to capitalize.
 
Southwest will look to even-out its conference record at home Tuesday at 7 p.m. against East Central.