BOONE, NC – The repeat is complete for the Hartwick College Hawks. A 3-0 shutout of Georgia State handed 'Wick its second straight Sun Belt Conference Men's Soccer Championship Sunday at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex in Boone, NC.
           
The Hawks received goals from All-Tournament selection Mike Rood (Conklin, NY/Susquehanna Valley), Tournament Most Outstanding Performer Jamie O'Grady (Falkirk, Scotland/Falkirk), and Marc Berry (Galashiels, Scotland/Galashiels Academy) en route to the championship.
           
The Hawks secured their second straight clean sheet of the tournament. They have not allowed a goal in all four Sun Belt Tournament matches dating back to last season. Keeper Lenny Wilson (Aberdeen, Scotland/Cults Academy), who made nine saves on the weekend, joined Rood and Dean Fowler (Sydney, Australia/Colo) on the All-Tournament Team.

In addition, the Hawks take the conference treble, winning Team GPA Award, the conference regular season, and conference championship, for the second consecutive year.

The victory ensures the Hawks of the program's 25^th NCAA appearance. The field will be announced tomorrow at 1 p.m. To view the selection show click here.

The Hawks faced a formidable attack in Georgia State as the Panthers ranked third in the nation in scoring offense with 41 goals in 17 matches. It was Hartwick, however, which provided the early offense. The Hawks jumped in front less than six minutes into the game on its second opportunity on goal. Rood had a header off a Fowler cross go wide of goal five minutes into the game.
           
Rood would make good on his next chance, however, less than a minute later. A back-heeled pass from Nick Hills (Garden Suburb, Australia/U. of Newcastle) sent Marc Berry (Galashiels, Scotland/Galashiels Academy) into the box left side. Berry's square ball was collected by Rood who settled and drove a left-footer to the far post past a diving Luke Oesterle.   
           
Cory Plasker had a pair of shots on goal with 22 minutes and 17 minutes left, respectively, for the Panthers. Both were hit right at Lenny Wilson (Aberdeen, Scotland/Cults Academy) for saves.
           
The Hawks got an insurance goal in the 33^rd minute when Jack Miller (Commack, NY/Commack) served a corner kick that popped back out to the side-line. He won the ball, getting through two Panther defenders, and had time to deliver a pass to the far post where O'Grady was there to head home for his eleventh goal of the season.
           
GSU had a pair of chances with less than six and a half minutes left in the half. The first was a reactionary save from Wilson on a header off a Panther corner. The ensuing corner went to the near post and was flicked back in front of the Hawks' goal. Jad Elkhalil's header looked destined to find the back of the net, but it was stopped by a 'Wick back right on the goal line before Wilson grabbed it.
           
The Hawks got a break in the last two minutes as Panther forward Eddie Wilding earned a straight red card and the Panthers were forced to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.
           
Georgia State came out flying in the second half despite being down a man. The Panthers fought back from a 3-0 deficit in the semifinals against Georgia Southern and saw no reason they could not do it again.
           
Despite their spirited effort in the early going of the half, the Hawks would get a third to put more distance between the two sides. Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year Kit Tregear (Brighton, England/BHASVIC) got the ball to Rood near midfield and he sent in Berry alone with Oesterle. Berry made a move around the keeper, tucked it low into an empty net, and Hartwick led by a 3-0 margin.
           
Berry nearly got a second with 21 minutes remaining after another lead pass from Rood. His chip of Oesterle, however, went just over the bar.
           
Hartwick would close the match with a 13-8 edge in shots. The Hawks' defense would fight off 11 Panther corners in the contest. Wilson made five saves. Oesterle stopped four shots for GSU.
           
Hartwick improves to 11-5-3 overall. They have now won seven of their last nine matches (7-1-1) entering the NCAA Tournament. They find out their destination and opponent Monday at 1 p.m. via live stream of the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Selection Show. 

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