AMERICUS - Forward Ilija Ilic posted a hat trick in the first half to lead the 6th-ranked Young Harris College men's soccer team past Georgia Southwestern, 5-0, on Saturday afternoon at Hurricane Field.

Ilic wasted little time giving the Mountain Lions the lead with his first goal of the match coming at the 2:16 mark. After Alex Wyper gave Young Harris (11-1, 5-0 PBC) a 2-0 advantage with a score in the 18th minute, Ilic stuck again with scores in the 24th minute and the 42nd minute.

Wyper rounded out the scoring, and sealed the Mountain Lions' ninth-consecutive win, with the lone goal of the second half - a penalty kick - at the 84:52 mark.

YHC finished with a 15-1 shots on goal advantage and 15-2 margin in corner kicks.

GSW keeper Ryan Tucker saved seven shots. Pedro Ozi saved one for YHC.

The Hurricanes recognized their three seniors - Tucker, Jon McVaney and Erik Haygood - prior to kickoff.

Southwestern (2-8-2, 0-6-1 PBC) travels to Clayton State on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. match with the Lakers.