ROME -- After a back and forth game, the Hawks came up just short to Colorado Mesa 9-7 at home Wednesday night.

Shorter moves to 3-7 on the year; while the Mavericks improve to 4-1.

Colorado Mesa got things going in the first period; tallying the first goal of the night at the 13:17 mark. The Hawks finally broke through with 2:49 to play on a goal from Tyler Schott to tie things up; only to have the Mavericks net a goal thirty second later to regain the lead.

Shorter once again knotted the game, as Alex Mainowski opened the scoring in the second period with 12:44 to go. Colorado Mesa then tallied back-to-back goals to make it a 4-2 game, but the Hawks found the equalizer as Jordan Getz and Sam Lyons scored consecutive goals to move the game to third period tied, 4-4.

Malinowski gave Shorter the lead with 13:54 to play in the third quarter. Ten minutes later, the Mavericks tied the game, but Travis Getz was there with the answer to put the Hawks up 6-5 heading into the final fifteen minutes.

Colorado Mesa then took the lead for good, netting three consecutive goals to take an 8-6 lead. Malinowski cut the lead to one with 10:22 to play, but it wasn't enough as the Mavericks were able to hold the Hawks scoreless through the remainder of the game while adding a final goal for the 9-7 score.

In total, Colorado Mesa outshot Shorter 35-19, and held a 20-14 advantage in shots on goal; while also leading ground balls 24-13.

JR Willers played the completed game in goal for the Hawks; making 11 saves during the sixty minutes.

Shorter will return to action Saturday, March 28, as Rhodes College visits Ben Brady Field for a 1:00pm start.