ROME -- The Hawks are headed to the semifinals!

For the third time in as many games Shorter needed overtime, and just like the last the golden goal belonged to the Hawks as they topped Christian Brothers, 4-3, in the first round of the Gulf South Conference Tournament Tuesday night.

The game was back and forth, with the Hawks having to work to keep the lead as the Bucs made the most of their chances to tie the game three times. Charlie Dennis got things going for Shorter, netting the first goal of the night on an open goal in the 7th minute. But, the Bucs were right there with a goal of their own ten minutes later to tie things up as Samuel Wilson headed in a corner kick.

In the 26th minute Dennis struck again on a breakaway to the goal to make it a 2-1 game, but Wilson was there once again for Christian Brothers to tie things up.

After the intermission both teams looked to take the lead, and the Hawks did just that in the 52nd minute on a header by Darwin Lom off of a corner kick from Fernando De Barros. It looked as if the lead would stand, but with one minute to play the Bucs were fouled inside the box, and Kevin Tikhomiroff netted the tying shot on the penalty kick to make it a 3-3 game.

In overtime the Hawks took two shots while keeping the Bucs without a chance. And, it was Josh Addinal who delivered the heroics for the night as he found the back of the net on a header off of Mauricio Rancel's corner kick with 2:49 to play in the first overtime. Sending the Hawks home with the win and a spot in Friday's semifinals.

Shorter will take on top seed and regular season champion, West Alabama, Friday at 8:30pm eastern in the semifinals with the winner advancing to Sunday's championship match against the winner of West Florida and Alabama Huntsville. The Hawks won their last meeting with the Tigers, 3-2, in overtime on a penalty kick from Mark Hanlon.

In total the Hawks outshot the Bucs 16-12, and held a 10-6 advantage in shots on goal. Shorter 'keeper, Austen Trevers, made three saves in goal; while Christian Brothers' Britton McGuire made six saves on the night.