The Hawks opened the year with a 23-4 setback at Brevard on Saturday afternoon.

Shorter got off to a fast start, scoring the game's first goal less than a minute into the first quarter as sophomore, Matt McHugh, found the back of the net on a pass from Jon Paul. The Tornados answered moments later on back-to-back scores to take a 2-1 lead; before the Hawks tied things up with just over four minutes to go in the frame on Austin Zumbado's first career goal. Brevard closed out the quarter with a final goal to take a 3-2 lead into the second.

In the second quarter, Brevard pulled ahead and didn't let up, tallying nine goals to take a 12-2 advantage into the halftime break.

After the intermission, the Tornados added two more goals, before the Hawks got on the board for a third time in the contest on Chris Woodard's first goal of the year. But, Brevard answered once again with six straight goals to extend their lead to 20-3 as the game moved into the final fifteen minutes.

In the final frame, the Hawks added one final goal – the second from Zumbado in the game; while Brevard picked up three more for the 23-4 final score.

Chad Halili finished the day 5-12 on the face off; while Chase Rogers (2-4), Negash Desta (1-7), and Jake Mathews (2-7) each took turns on the draw.

Garry Robinson and Richard Ticer split time in goal for the Hawks; finishing with 11 and 2 saves, respectively.

Shorter, who finished with an NCAA DII leading 13.57 caused turnovers per game last season, opened the year with only five against Brevard. In ground balls, Brevard out-collected the Hawks' 51-22, with Halili and Zumbado each collecting five for Shorter.

The Hawks will be back in action next Saturday, February 11, when they travel to St. Charles, Mo. to take on Lindenwood. Game time is set for 1:00pm EST.