AMERICUS, Ga. -- Led by senior Thiago Elias' three-goal performance, the Georgia Southwestern State University men's soccer team posted an 8-1 victory over Shaw University on Wednesday afternoon at Hurricane Field in the first-ever meeting between the schools.

The eight goals scored by the Hurricanes is a program high for most in a match. The hat trick by Elias is the first in program history.

The Hurricanes improved their record to 3-6-1 this season while Shaw dropped to 3-5-1.  

Elias played a role in the first three GSW scores on Wednesday. He opened with a goal in the 13th minute off an assist from Divin Moke, followed the score with an assist to Pedro Chung two minutes later and then scored his second goal of the half in the 28th minute off another assist from Moke. The goal by Chung was the first of his collegiate career. Dylan Marshall closed out the first half with a goal in the 40th minute when he broke free from a defender and beat the keeper for his fourth score of the fall.

Shaw punched its lone goal of the match in the 50th minute before the Hurricanes rattled off the final four scores. Elias completed the hat trick off a free kick from just outside the left corner of the 18-yard box in the 60th minute. Matheus Alves jumped in on the action with a back-to-back goals (63', 65') off assists from Jonathan Sayers and Marshall, just like he closed out the first half, completed the scoring in the second half on a header off a feed from Aystin Martinez.   

GSW outshot the Bears, 20-11, in the match, with a 12-3 edge in shots on goal. GSW held a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks and Shaw was whistled for five more fouls (13-8). GSW goalkeeper Matthew Sherry successfully turned away a penalty kick in the second half en route to his first collegiate win.

Up Next: The Hurricanes return to Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday with a home match against USC Aiken at 7 p.m.