ATLANTA – The Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels opened the 2024 season by hosting Shorter, but after a tough battle fell 12-10 to the Hawks.

Robbie Coull led with three goals followed by Quade Bedgood, Hinton Chandler and Alexander Zaichick with two goals each. Max Brand made two assists while goalkeeper Xay Duax made 17 saves.

Shorter was the first to score, but Quade Bedgood quickly responded thanks to an assist from Israel Pendleton-Moore. The Hawks were able to gain the advantage in the first quarter, padding a 4-1 lead by the end of the period. The Petrels began to turn things around in the second quarter, as Coull made his first goal and Chandler made his two. Their three goals were the last of the period as Oglethorpe headed into half time down 8-4. 

The Hawks managed to open the third quarter with two goals, but the Petrels were the ones dominating the field. Oglethorpe seemed to be on track for a major comeback and only allowed Shorter one goal in the fourth quarter. However, Shorter had made a large enough lead in the first two periods that Oglethorpe could not break. Zaichick and Coull scored the final three goals, part of the turn-around that softened the 12-10 loss. 

Game Notes

• Oglethorpe's record against Shorter is now 2-2. 
• The Petrels went 20-29 on clears. 
• As a team, Oglethorpe scooped 36 ground balls. 
• Tonight was also Shorter's season opener. 
• Oglethorpe also faced Shorter in last year's season opener, which resulted in an 11-10 win.  

Up Next 

Oglethorpe heads to Huntingdon next Wednesday, then Southern Athletic Association foe Berry over next weekend for two games. The next home game for the Stormy Petrels is set for Wednesday, Feb. 21, against Point.