Women’s Soccer
The Piedmont women’s soccer team defeated Asbury University in their last conference game, winning 1-0 on Oct. 26.
Both teams’ defenses held strong for the entire first half of the game, going into halftime with a 0-0 tie. It was not until 60 minutes and 37 seconds into the second half that The Lions scored the first and only goal of the game. Sophomore Madison Johnson scored this goal.
“It was a really big game because if we won, we got home field advantage in the conference quarterfinals,” sophomore forward Sydney Spitzer said, “This was our last game of conference and it was great to finish strong.”
Piedmont wrapped up its regular season by winning their 10th consecutive game, defeating Toccoa Falls College 5-0 on Oct. 28. Addi Banks opened up the scoring in the first 34 seconds, with an assist by Sydney Spitzer. In the second half, the Lady Lions scored four times: Christina Sierra (unassisted), Sophie Wells (Alison Witkiewicz), Molly Fitzpatrick (Jordyn Harris) and Addyson Jarrard (Gretchen Dedolph).
The Lady Lions wrap up their regular season with a 15-4 record and a 6-2 mark in the CCS. Over their 10-game winning streak, the team has outscored its opponents 33-1. The Lions rank 34th in NCAA Division III, averaging 2.94 goals per game and 27th in the country with 12 shutouts.
Piedmont looks to build off that momentum in the CCS Tournament, where they host LaGrange College on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. at the Walker Athletic Conference.
—Nealy Webster
Men’s Soccer
The Piedmont University men’s soccer team earned a 4–2 victory over Belhaven University on Saturday evening at the Walker Athletic Complex in Demorest, Georgia, giving the Lions momentum heading into the conference tournament.
“I feel pretty good going into conference knowing that we just had a strong win against Belhaven, said junior Davis Knight, who secured the win for the Lions. “Along with good momentum going into the next game.”
The Lions exploded in the first half, taking full control before Belhaven could find any rhythm. Senior Colin Vogel scored early off an assist from Knight. Towards the end of the half, Vogel doubled the lead. Sophomore Mason Keith added another goal, assisted by Sophomore Lyric Bratton, to give Piedmont a strong 3–0 lead heading into halftime.
Belhaven fought back in the second half. Piedmont’s defense, led by senior goalkeeper Bobby Wood, who recorded nine saves, was strong. With just over three minutes left, Knight capped off his strong performance by scoring in the last few minutes to secure the 4–2 win and put the match out of reach for the Blazers.
The Lions (6-8-1, 2-3-1) go on the road to Lagrange on Oct. 29 for the first round of the conference tournament.
—Emilee Sanders
Volleyball
The Piedmont women’s volleyball team experienced an up-and-down run over its recent four-match slate, beginning with a commanding conference victory on the road before falling in three consecutive contests over the weekend in Lookout Mountain.
Piedmont opened the week in strong form, sweeping Wesleyan 3–0 and controlling the pace from the outset. The Lions rolled to set wins of 25–15, 25–18 and 25–9, marking their second straight victory and fourth sweep of the season.
Senior Alex Wingate powered the offense with eight kills on an efficient .412 hitting mark, while fellow senior Zoe Coelho once again anchored the defense, collecting 19 digs in just three sets to maintain her position among the conference’s top defensive leaders. Sophomore Erin Lemons delivered a breakout night from the service line, tallying a career-best six aces to help Piedmont build early momentum in each set.
The Lions returned to action Friday to open a CCS tri-match against host Covenant, falling in straight sets after a quick 7–1 start was erased by a Scots scoring run. Katie Hubbard led Piedmont with eight kills, and Coelho continued her consistent defensive play with 20 digs. Sophomore Bailey Daugherty added steady front-row support, finishing with three kills and a pair of block assists.
Piedmont returned to the court Saturday for two more matchups, taking on LaGrange in conference play before facing Centre in a non-league contest. The Lions opened the day strong with a 25–22 first-set victory over LaGrange, led by a late push and a key service ace from Coelho. However, the Panthers responded to claim the next three sets, despite Piedmont holding multiple late leads in the fourth.
Hubbard delivered one of her most complete performances of the season, posting a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs, while Coelho added 26 digs to continue her climb toward 1,000 career digs.
In the second match of the afternoon, Center controlled the tempo, defeating Piedmont 3–0. Senior Aria Foerst paced the Lions’ offense with four kills, and Coelho added another 15 digs and three service aces, surpassing 40 digs on the day.
“This past weekend, even though the results don’t show it, our team really showed immense strides,” Hubbard said. “We really came together, and each game was a true team effort.”
Piedmont Women’s Volleyball (7-23) returns home next week to recognize its senior class and close out the regular season, hosting Agnes Scott on Tuesday, October 28, at 7 p.m. The Lions will look to regroup and finish strong as postseason play approaches.
—Adriana Blumer
