ROME -- The Hawks fell to Chowan, 13-10, Saturday afternoon to open the 2018 season.

Jordan Coates got things started the Hawks as he netted the first goal of the year in the opening minutes of the first quarter, before Tate Tatum followed with his first collegiate goal later the in frame on a pass from Matt McHugh to give Shorter a 2-0 advantage at the start of the second period.

The Hawks then added to it in second, as McHugh found the back of the net for the first time in the game. But, the 3-0 lead was short lived as Chowan fought back with five straight goals to swing the momentum into their favor with 6:46 to play in the second. Shorter quickly regrouped to tie things up, scoring back-to-back goals from Tatum and Jacob Woodard. Only to have Chowan tally one more to hold a 6-5 lead at the halftime break.

Shorter opened the third with a pair of goals, from Chase Rogers and McHugh, to take a 7-6 lead. But, Chowan countered with three to erase the lead and make it an 8-7 score. Before the Hawks once again tied the game, on a second goal of the game from Rogers. Chowan closed out the third period with three goals for the 12-9 score as the game moved into the final fifteen minutes.

Both teams added a score in the fourth, Shorter's from Coates on a pass from Rogers, for the 13-10 final score.

The Hawks held a 44-34 advantage in shots, with a slim 27-25 lead in shots on goal. While, both teams tallied 13 face-off wins, and Chowan narrowly led in ground balls 24-22.

Individually, McHugh, Tatum, Coates and Rogers each finished with two goals for the game with Rogers turning in three assists to go along with two from McHugh. Coates and Morgan DeNoers led the Hawks in ground balls with five each. DeNoers, who led DII in caused turnovers for the season last year, tallied three; Chris Woodard and River Ledbetter each added two.

Garry Robinson and Richard Ticer split time in goal, recording four and eight saves, respectively.

Nick LaVoy led Chowan with five goals on the afternoon.

The Hawks will look to even their record Wednesday, February 7, as they welcome North Greenville to Ben Brady Field for a 6:00pm start.