ROME, Ga. – The Hawks picked up their first win of the season in front of the home crowd, defeating the USC Aiken Pacers, 2-1.

Shorter will take 11 days off before their next contest and head coach Ben Birdsong said it is "good to get a result going into the stretch of no games."

The Pacers managed only three shots in the first half, while Shorter took eight and scored in 30th minute. Phillip Middlecamp converted off a rebound and put the ball past the USC Aiken keeper, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

Just three minutes into the second half, SU extended its lead to 2-0 when Mauricio Rancel scored his first goal of the season off a pass from Antonio Santarsiero.

The Pacers had a chance late, but Austen Trevers blocked Andre Simmonds' penalty kick in the 86th minute.

"Austen saving [the penalty kick] really made a difference and let us get to the end," Birdsong stated.

USC Aiken would score in the 88th minute when Simmons converted, but Shorter did not allow the Pacers to get any closer than 2-1, holding off a late charge from the visitors.

Trevers made four saves in goal for the Hawks, while Chase Boulton made five for USCA.

Shorter will take an 11-day break from play before traveling to Trevecca Nazarene University for a non-conference contest. Kickoff between the Hawks and Trojans is set for 3 p.m. on September 27th.