ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick's men's soccer team used three different goal scorers in a 3-0 shutout victory over visiting Georgia Southern on Friday night on Elmore during the College's True Blue Weekend.
           
Mike Rood (Conklin, NY/Susquehanna Valley) and Dean Fowler (Sydney, Australia/Colo) tallied in the first half for the Hawks. Goalkeeper Lenny Wilson (Aberdeen, Scotland/Cults Academy) stopped a penalty kick for 'Wick early in the second half and Jack Donaldson (Paisley, Scotland/Mars Hill University) netted the Hawks' final goal.
           
"A great way to start conference play with three goals and a clean sheet," said victorious Hartwick coach John Scott after the match. "Every one of us did their job tonight. I'm delighted with the three points and for giving our alumni something to shout about for True Blue Weekend."
           
The Hawks opened the scoring in the 21^st minute of play. Hartwick forward Wyatt Scott (Cicero, NY/Cicero North Syracuse) was hauled down in the Eagle box resulting in a penalty kick. Rood stepped up for the shot and got Georgia Southern keeper Jack Falle to dive to his right placing the ball down the middle for a 1-0 advantage.
           
In the 33^rd minute, a quick restart from Jamie O'Grady (Falkirk, Scotland/Falkirk) near midfield sent in Fowler up the far side. He got into the box and unleashed a powerful near-post drive to the upper corner, leaving Falle no chance for 2-0 lead.
           
Georgia Southern was awarded a penalty kick of its own 12:43 after halftime. Thor Sveinbjornsson took the kick, but his shot was right at Wilson who made the critical stop to keep the Hawks up two goals.
           
"That was a massive moment for us," added Scott. "It allowed us to remain in control of the match."
           
Less than 11 minutes after the Wilson save, the Hawks put the game away with their third of the match. Nick Hills (Garden Suburb, Australia/U. of Newcastle) touched a ball back to Donaldson at the top of the Eagle box. His left-footed shot eluded Falle to his right side for his second tally of the season.
           
Wilson would finish the game with two saves for the Hawks in earning his fourth clean sheet of the year. Falle would make four stops for the Eagles.
           
Hartwick held a 13-9 edge in shots for the match. They also had a 5-3 advantage in corners.
           
The Hawks improve to 5-4-2 overall with the win. Georgia Southern falls to 2-5-1.
           
'Wick stays in conference play for its next match. The Hawks travel to New Jersey Institute of Technology next Saturday, October 17 for a 5 p.m. contest.