MOBILE, Ala. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) men's soccer team closed out the 2017 season with a 6-1 Gulf South Conference (GSC) victory over the Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) Warhawks at Library Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Warhawks (1-17, 1-10 GSC) fell behind 1-0 in the 7^th minute when SHC senior Alaye Brito scored off a ball played to the center of the box by fellow senior Ibrahima Ndaw following a give-and-go play through the defense with Alex Lipinski. Ndaw then added a goal of his own from six yards out in the 15^th minute with assists from Morgan Gauthier and Lipinski.
 
SHC extended the advantage to 3-0 in the 19^th minute after Callum Porter intercepted an AUM pass at midfield and flicked a nifty chip pass to Ndaw who lifted a long pass over the defense to Lipinski who finished from eight yards out.
 
The second half started with the Badgers continuing to pour on the offensive pressure as freshman Matthew Moreno and Gauthier played the ball around the box to find Michael Ness who blasted home a tally from 10 yards out in the 47^th minute. Junior forward Tilman Schober joined the scoring parade in the 72^nd minute after he accepted an entry from Haukur Bjornsson, beat a defender one-on-one, and finished from four yards. SHC finished the day with a header score by Ndaw after the AUM keeper recorded a block save of a header attempt by Bjornsson following a corner kick by Vassil Kokali in the 80^th minute.
 
AUM prevented the shutout with just 1:17 left on the clock when Asher Gipner scored off a shot from the top of the box off an assist by Brandon Kelly.
 
Badger goalkeeper Geraldo Bina (12-3) made four saves against eight shots and two corner kicks by the Warhawks while Stephen Ingram (0-13) of AUM made 11 saves versus a cannonade of 32 shots and eight corner attempts by Spring Hill.
 
Following the game, SHC head coach Steve Wieczorek was appreciative of his seniors and was already looking forward to 2018. "First, I would like to thank the senior players," he said. "Viktor Kvarnlof, Brito, and Ndaw for their contributions to the success of this season. Senior leadership is a pivotal part of great teams and we certainly had it in these three.
 
"The performance in today's match was decisive, expressive and exciting to be a part of," he continued. "It was a great way to conclude our 2017 campaign. This group stands alone as the best in school history. The next challenge is ahead in 2018 with the NCAA tournament in our sights."
 
Lipinski's goal was his 14^th of the season, leaving him one score shy of the single season record of 15 set by Sean Simpson in 2008.
 
The win gave SHC a program-record 12 victories in 2017, surpassing the previous high of 10 set in 2011 and 2012.
 
The Badgers ended the year at 12 wins and 3 losses including 8-2 in conference play for the second most wins in the GSC this season behind the University of West Alabama at 14-2 overall and 10-1 in conference play.