ROME -- Despite falling to Coker 11-7, the Hawks turned in their best all-around performance of the season Friday night.

Scoring came at a premium in the first quarter, as it took nearly twelve full minutes before either team found the back of the net, with the Cobras breaking through first as Garrett Kilgore tallied his first score of then night with 3:11 to play. He followed a minute later to give his team the 2-0 advantage, before Shorter's Jon Paul posted the Hawks first goal of the game with 1:12 remaining to cut the lead in half heading into the second quarter.

In the second, Coker (3-3) extended their lead to 3-1 on Austin Holgate's first goal of the game. Only to have the Hawks tie the game with back-to-back scores from Matt McHugh – one on an assist from Chase Rogers. Coker answered; however, with three consecutive goals in the final five minutes of the frame to take a 6-3 lead into halftime.

After halftime, the Cobra extended their lead to 8-3. Only to have the Hawks cut the lead to two on three consecutive goals. The first came from William Millwood with 2:49 to play in the third. While, the next two came from Jacob Henderson and Austin Zumbado on assists from each other while the Hawks were man-up during the fourth.

Through the final nine minutes of the period Rylee Marsh added three goals for Coker; while Zumbado tallied his second of the night with 3:23 to play in the game, for the 11-7 final score.

Coker held a narrow advantage in shots in the game 45-39; while placing 29 on target to the Hawks 20. And, led in the groundballs 27-20, and in face-off wins 13-8. Shorter was 2-6 in extra man opportunities; while the Cobras went 0-3. And, both teams finished with 18 turnovers.

McHugh and Zumbado each finished with two goals; while Paul, Henderson and Millwood added one apiece. Jake Mathews was the primary face-off man for Shorter, finishing 7-16 on the night.

Morgan DeNoers led the defense with two caused turnovers and four groundballs. Garry Robinson started in goal for Shorter, making eight saves through 29 minutes of work, before leaving the game with an injury. Richard Ticer came in just before halftime, and made 10 saves during the remaining 31 minutes.

Shorter will return to action Tuesday, March 21, when they host Keiser University for a 5:00pm start at Ben Brady Field.