ROME – Shorter University Athletics announced today that head men's soccer coach Paulo Neto has accepted an offer to become head coach at NCAA Division I Saint Francis (PA) University.

In three years as head coach of the Hawks, Neto posted 26 wins – 12 of which came this past fall when he guided Shorter to the program's first-ever berth in the Gulf South Conference Tournament championship match. His teams increased their win total in each of his three seasons on the Hill as Neto successfully navigated the Hawks through the grueling transition into the Gulf South Conference.

"We are extremely grateful to Coach Neto and the job he did building our men's soccer program into a championship contender within the Gulf South Conference," said Shorter Interim Athletic Director Matt Green. "Paulo is the epitome of what we look for in a head coach. He led our program to new heights on the foundation of strong student-athletes who represented our institution in a first class manner. He is deserving of this opportunity at the Division I level and I know he will succeed. I am proud of him, I thank him for his service to our institution, and wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor."

"I'm proud to have served Shorter University for these last three years as its head men's soccer coach," said Neto. "I have built very strong friendships in the Hill that will last for the rest of my life. I'm proud of all the players I have coached and I want to thank them as well as their families for their continuous support throughout the years.

"Leaving a place where you've been successful, and more importantly found people that touched your life in a very special way, it's never an easy thing, but this is a terrific opportunity I'm being offered," he added. "I wouldn't have gotten this chance if it was not for the opportunity to lead the Shorter men's soccer program for this last three years. Shorter will always have a special place in my heart."

Neto came to Shorter in 2012 after successful stints at Division II Lincoln Memorial and NAIA University of the Cumberlands.

Shorter went 4-13-1 in his first season in 2012 – the Hawks' first on the NCAA Division II level and in the GSC – but finished third in the league standings in 2013 by compiling 10 wins and an 8-5-1 conference record.

The Hawks finished fourth in the GSC this past fall, opened the GSC Tournament with a 4-0 win over perennial D-II power West Florida then upset 18th-ranked and top-seeded Christian Brothers 2-0 in the semifinals before falling to West Alabama in the GSC title game.

Neto heads to a Saint Francis program that set a program record with 13 victories and won the Northeast Conference championship in 2014. The team returns more than half of its starting lineup.

A national search for Neto's replacement is underway.