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Southern Wesleyan downs Soccer Hawks 3-2 in South Carolina
By Matt Green
CENTRAL, S.C. -- Garry Perks scored two goals, but Southern Wesleyan goalie John Prochak saved a Shorter penalty kick with a few minutes to go to preserve a 3-2 victory over Shorter in Southern States Athletic Conference men's soccer action on Tuesday night.
The loss drops Shorter to 7-7-1 overall and 3-5-1 in the SSAC. The Hawks are two points out of qualifying for the eighth and final berth into the SSAC Tournament.
Southern Wesleyan surged into seventh place in the league standings with the win, but had to hold off a game effort in the final few minutes from the Hawks on the road.
After Perks scored his 10th goal of the season in the 82nd minute to pull Shorter within 3-2, the Hawks won a penalty kick with just over two minutes to play. Seeking the second hat trick of his career, Perks stepped up to take the penalty, but Prochak made a game clinching save to deny Shorter's chance at an equalizer.
Perks scored in the 21st minute off an assist from Irvin Espinal put the Hawks up 1-0, but the Hawks proceeded to surrender three straight goals to the Warriors (7-5, 4-4).
Daniel Guinn scored four minutes before halftime to tie the game at 1-1, Daniel Pena put Southern Wesleyan up 2-1 with a goal in the 74th minute and Carlos Silva scored what proved to be the game winner six minutes later, beating Shorter goalie Ryan Edwards for a 3-1 lead in the 80th minute.
Shorter held a 12-11 advantage in shots, but Southern Wesleyan proved the more aggressive side in the second half by outshooting the Hawks 7-4. Prochak made six saves for the Warriors while Edwards made five stops for Shorter.
The Hawks return to action on Saturday, Oct. 22 when they host Emmanuel at 4:30 pm on Ben Brady Field. Saturday is Senior Day for the Hawks.
