Women’s Soccer
Piedmont’s women’s soccer endured an up-and-down season in 2023, but they are looking to find some more consistency this fall. After starting the 2023 season winless in their first six matches, the team completed an epic comeback against LaGrange in the quarterfinals of the CCS playoffs before eventually losing to Maryville in the semifinals.
“We learned a lot from last year’s slow start,” said junior defender Sierra Judson. “So this year, we are emphasizing the importance of concentration and intensity from the beginning.”
The team finished 10-7-5 despite the slow start, and getting the ball rolling early is a key point for the team. Judson led the team in scoring with nine goals and one assist last season in 22 matches and is hoping to continue her good form this fall.
The squad is also welcoming 14 incoming freshmen. Despite all these new additions, the team atmosphere on and off the field is nothing but good vibes.
“This has been one of the better team environments I’ve been a part of so far, so I could see this fall’s team leaning on each other the way a true team would,” said Head Coach Timmy McCormack, who is heading into his eighth year at Piedmont. “The freshman class has performed well, but that’s no surprise because our upperclassmen have set a great example for our younger players to follow this year.”
The expectations for this squad, not only from the players and staff but also from the fans, are very high.
Men’s Soccer
Piedmont men’s soccer lived through a tough 2023 season, going 6-9-3 before losing in the quarterfinals to Maryville. All six of their wins came at home, and for the 2024 season, their first seven matchdays are all away from Demorest.
“The last two years, we’ve been very young with a lot of freshmen and sophomores,” said Head Coach Jimmy Stephens. “ Now that those guys are a bit older, we expect their experience to be pivotal in our success this year at home and especially on the road.”
Coach Stephens is returning his seven highest G/A (goals and assists) from 2023 and says the spectators can, “expect our team to be very similar to last year.” One of those seven returners is senior Jason Aussin, who has started every game for Piedmont for the past two seasons.
“The key to my consistency is the trust in myself and my teammates,” said the senior forward Jason Aussin. “Trusting my teammates is important because it allows me to play my own game without the fear of not having an option available.”
Aussin is hoping to end his college career with a ring, and being consistent is a big key to not only his, but also the team’s success. The men’s soccer team has not finished a season with a winning record since 2018, and Coach Stephens and the rest of the team are looking to push each other to reach the top.
Women’s Volleyball
The 2023 Piedmont women’s volleyball season was not one to look back fondly on, ending 14-16 with a loss to Berea in the quarterfinals. To only put salt in the wound, the team graduated many valuable members, including Jenna Ash, who had led the team in kills for three straight seasons.
It is rare to have an equal number of returners to newcomers, but with eight of each, pre-season camp was all the more important for the Lions.
“With so many new players, it was difficult at first for everyone to figure out team cohesion,” said junior outside hitter Katie Hubbard. “However, after the last few practices, I speak for everyone when I say we have finally found a connection that is starting to work and can’t wait to see it put into action this weekend.”
The Lions are working toward achieving their first winning record since 2018 and then their first-ever CCS Championship title. If they win the conference tournament, this will be the first year that they are eligible to receive an automatic bid to the national tournament.
Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country
The 2023 men’s cross-country team ran through the competition, dominating the CCS and winning the conference title. Leading the way were Junior Leyton Bradford and Senior Walker Capelle, who finished second and third, respectively, at the conference meet last November and are both looking to build on that elite performance this season.
In total, five of the top ten finishers in the conference meet were members of the Piedmont Lions, and Head Coach Jamie Jimison will look to repeat as champions in year six.
The women’s cross-country team is looking to bounce back from their third-place finish in 2023. They won the conference title in 2022, and are looking to return to the top of the podium here this fall.
In the 2023 CCS meet, Piedmont had two finishers inside the top ten, senior Jaycie Ponce and sophomore Skyler Seeber. Sophomore Hannah Marlowe finished just outside the top 10 in 11th. With Ponce now graduated, it is up to fellow returners Juniors Tanea Davis, Bella Caccamo, and Senior Victoria Drouin to fill in the gap.
Both teams had their first meet on Aug. 31., and while Piedmont does not host a home meet, the teams will race at the UNG Invite in Oakwood, Georgia, on Friday, Sept. 13.
