KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Benjy Slator's 15th goal of the season made the Rams' deficit one early in the second half, but three closing goals from the No. 3 seeded Shorter Hawks handed Bluefield a 5-1 defeat in the squad's first pool play game of the 2014 NCCAA National Championships.

Shorter, who earned the first at-large bid to the tournament, came out firing early against Bluefield and set the tone for the match. The Hawks took a 2-0 lead into halftime, as Josh Addinal (17') and Charlie Dennis (24') netted goals. Shorter outfired BC by a 13-1 margin in the opening 45 minutes, holding a 7-0 edge in shots on goal.

The start of the second half could not have gone better for the Rams, as a 50' goal from Slator trimmed the deficit to just one. The tally is Slator's 15th of the season, matching Erik Albarran's single-season record - according to information dating back to 2006 - from the 2012 season.

But, the Hawks bounced back with a goal in the 54th minute, as Dennis found Christopher Cummins for his first of three second-half goals which shut the door on the Rams.

Cummins added a marker in the 73rd minute and a penalty kick goal in the 82nd minute for the 5-1 Shorter win.

On the night, the Hawks finished with a 26-3 advantage in shots, and a 15-1 margin for shots on goal.

Keeper Oscar Hernandez racked up 10 saves for the Rams, while Nicolas Ferrigno made no saves with BC's only shot on frame finding the back of the net.

The Hawks had five corner kicks to three for Bluefield.

The Rams return to action Tuesday evening, taking on No. 4 seed Bethel (Ind.) in their final pool play game. The top team from each of the three pools as well as one wild card team will advance to semifinal play on Friday.