Women’s Soccer
The Piedmont Lions women’s soccer team extended its winning streak to seven games on Oct. 11 with a win over Covenant College by a score of 3-0. It’s a streak that began on Sept. 23 and has seen only one goal conceded by the Lions.
The Lions controlled the game against Covenant, as senior Sierra Judson beat the keeper from range to get the scoring started in the 9th minute. The majority of the first half was played in Piedmont’s attacking third, and the score remained 1-0 at half time.
Two minutes into the second half, freshman Genesis Gamez made a stellar individual run before finding senior Jocelyn Maseda for the second goal of the game. After a lull in the match, Piedmont won a penalty in the 67th minute, and sophomore Summer Huskin slotted it home for her first collegiate goal.
With the game in hand throughout, head coach Timmy McCormack used 26 substitutes, including three different goalkeepers in net.
The win followed a 2-1 win at Lagrange College on Oct. 8, with Piedmont controlling the match in the first half, registering 10 shots and forcing out four saves, but were unable to break through the Panthers’ defense.
The Panthers struck first in the 65th minute but was equalized less than a minute later by Piedmont sophomore Gabi Paulding, tallying her first career goal.
With the game directing itself to a 1-1 draw, freshman Lora Kim snatched away the victory with a goal in the 89th minute, guiding the Lions to a 2-1 victory.
Piedmont has now beaten LaGrange in 22 straight matches dating all the way back to 2008, and now holds a 31-2 record over the Panthers.
With just three regular-season games remaining, Piedmont (12-4-1, 4-2 in the CCS) hopes to continue this winning streak in hopes of hosting a home playoff game. Their next match is at home on Oct. 15 versus Agnes Scott College.
Men’s Soccer
The Piedmont men’s soccer team went 0-1-1 in their two-game road trip this past week, tying Lagrange College with a score of 3-3 and falling to Berry College 3-0.
Against Lagrange, the Lions were able to start early, as in the seventh minute Julian Pimentel assisted a Mason Ketih goal, which deflected off the Lagrange keeper. The Lions would score two more, both from Collin Vogel (21’ , 50’), before three straight goals from Lagrange finished the scoring for the game, ending it in a draw.
The Lions then traveled to play Berry and took a tough loss this late in the season. Piedmont was able to get off 13 shots but had no luck, as the Berry goalkeeper made seven saves to shut them out.
With two out of the last three games of the season being conference matchups, and the Lions being 1-3-1 in conference play so far, they look to rebound quickly and position themselves well for the tournament later this month.
“We have a good mentality of playing to our strengths in these next three games,” Pimentel said. “We know that if we come out with the right attitude, we could set ourselves up well and potentially win the whole tournament.”
The Lions (5-6-1 overall) next take on Huntingdon College at home on Oct. 18 at the Walker Athletic Complex.
—Max Peek
Women’s Golf
Senior Erin Donovan capped off an exciting final round with two birdies in her final three holes to claim the individual title by one stroke at the October Golfweek Classic in Sandestin, Florida. Donovan began the day four shots back and fired a final-round 3-under par 69 to win by one.
Donovan paced the women’s golf team, which remained consistent throughout the tournament, finishing 14th overall in the competitive 24-team field. Junior Keegan Goins maintained a steady pace all week, finishing 45th out of 120 players. Freshmen Aubree Hill, Lila Polawski and Zoe Shuttlesworth provided consistent scores to round out the Lions.
Donovan said the strong play from the young Lions squad proves their potential. “I think the stretches of good golf I’ve seen in these first few events and the hard work in practice from all eight people on this team makes me excited for the rest of the year.”
The Lady Lions will next be teeing it up in the Historic Triangle Invitation in Williamsburg, Virginia on Oct. 20-21.
—Adam Rogers
Men’s Golf
Led by senior Adam Rodgers, the Piedmont men’s golf team finished 9th out of 24 teams at Golfweek Division III Fall Invitational in Destin, Florida, on Oct. 12-14.
“It was a really solid week for me and the team. I’m proud of how we battled back from a tough start to the tournament,” said Rodgers, who finished ninth out of 120 golfers in the tournament. “After a hard day, it’s tough to push through, but everyone was able to keep their heads level and fought with good energy the last two days.”
Rodgers shot an even-par 71 on the second day of the tournament with a couple of bogeys and birdies to finish -1. Freshman Braden Kiley led the Lions after the first day, coming in with a 1-over 72 with 14 pars and two birdies. He finished the weekend with a 9-over 81, tied for 51st out of 120 golfers. Junior Doug Gugel ended the weekend on a high note, shooting a career-tying 4-under 67.
Piedmont finished the tournament with an 18-over par, placing 9th overall. The Lions are scheduled to tee off next at the Chick-fil-A Invitational at Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome, Georgia, on Oct. 20.
—Matt Dupuis
Women’s Swimming
The Piedmont women’s swim team came out with a win against Warren Wilson on Oct. 10, winning 187-34.
“Winning all four events, three individual and one relay, alongside my teammates, was an incredible experience,” said junior Kelly Mashburn. “The success has boosted my confidence, which will be essential as we continue through the season.”
Mashburn had an exceptional day for her career, taking home three events in the meet, adding a 5:47:13 first-place win in the 500 freestyle. Caroline Massaro, Kayle Buss and Maggie O’Brien all brought two wins each for the Lions. Massaro won the 50 and the 100 back, Buss won with the 100 fly and 100 breast, and O’Brien won the 50 breast and the 100 IM. Caroline Massaro, Kayle Buss, Tressie Polk and Maggie Robinson were able to take home the 200 medley with a time of 2:05:23.
The Lady Lions next meet will be held in Asheville, North Carolina on Oct. 25.
Men’s Swimming
The Piedmont men’s swim team had a season opener win against Warren Wilson, winning 193-12.
“I think our team did very well against the other team,” said junior Reid Barnes. “We had very good team energy, and I did well in my races”.
The Lions started with the 200 medley, dominating the top three spots with Reid Barnes, Ryan Smith, Preston Allen and Carmen Yeager finishing with a time of 1:44:76. This starts the season opener for the Lions with a win as they took home all events, counting it up to 13 overall. Sophomore Henry Rickman brought home the 200 and 100 freestyle for the Lions. Junior Ryan Smith also brought home the 50 and 100 breaststroke events with the times of 29.62 and 1:04:68.
The Lions will be back in action in Asheville, North Carolina to go against Warren Wilson and Southern Virginia University on Oct. 25.
—Olivia Carpenter
Volleyball
The Piedmont volleyball team fell short in all three games they traveled to on Oct. 10-11. The Lions lost to Berea College 3-0, then lost two conference matches: 3-1 to Huntingdon College and 3-0 to Asbury University.
“I think the games went well for us,” sophomore defensive specialist Alli Sanchez said. “We fought as hard as we could and ultimately won a set against Huntingdon. The team was stronger in each set and continuously fought until the end. We do a really great job at supporting each other and it shows on the court.”
Over the three matches, senior Kaite Hubbard led the team with 15 kills, three aces, one block and a hitting percentage of .250 against Asbury University. Senior Kya Perkinson also stood out, gaining 14 kills, two blocks and a hitting percentage of .231 against Berea College and .200 against Huntingdon College. Senior Zoe Coelho served three aces, 59 digs and seven assists. Senior Alex Wingate had 18 kills. Sophomore Erin Lemons had 29 assists, 31 digs and two aces. Freshman Lauren Caricato tallied 22 assists, four aces and 10 digs. Senior Bree Chappell had 4 kills. Sophomore Sara Bjerke tallied three blocks and one ace. Senior Aria Foerst had two blocks. Senior Abbye Carver tallied 17 digs.
The Lions (4-16, 2-6) will travel to Toccoa Falls College on Oct. 14 for their next match.
—Nealy Webster
