Box Score Fayetteville, NC -- Piedmont Men's Soccer traveled to #1-seeded Methodist University for the first round of the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament. The Lions, seeded #8, came into the match seeking revenge for a 0-1 loss at home earlier in the season. Unfortunately, the Monarchs were ready for the Lions and a scoring streak in the first half gave them a 5-0 lead Piedmont could not recover from.

In the first 10 minutes of play, the Monarchs set the tone with four corners and five shots on goal. In the 15th minute, Methodist got their first goal and eventual winner off of a cross, finding an open man back post.

The Monarchs did not let up their offensive in this first round matchup, attacking harder in the next few minutes. In the 18th minute, the Monarchs forwards found two more open balls on the Lions backside that they knocked into the net past the Lions defense.

In the 22nd minute, a glimmer of hope came for the Lions. Junior forward Vincent Thomas chased down a through-ball on the right side and rocketed a ball at the Monarchs goal. Unfortunately, the ball veered right late and missed the goal wide.

Methodist put two more goals in on the Lions before halftime. In the 29th minute, a corner dropped in the midst of a tustle and a Monarch attacked connected on the ball to get goal number four. The fifth and final goal came in the 45th minute as a dangerous swerving ball slipped past goalkeeper Kenneth Hearn from 25 yards out.

The Lions came out in the second half down but not out. With adversity they've seen all season, the Lions stepped up and fought for the final 45 minutes of their season.

Both teams fought for possession and earned corners but neither could find the net halfway through the second half. Methodist would hit six corners to the Lions two on the day.

In the 83rd minute, freshman midfielder Chris Keller attacked with a ball given by his teammate. Keller took a well-hit shot from distance but the ball was stopped by the Monarch's keeper.

When the final bell rung, the Lions were outshot 27-3 but held Methodist to no second-half goals and only one corner kick.

Piedmont's head coach Jimmy Stephens was optimistic after the game. "We won a lot of important games this season and lost a few key ones as well. When the guys can put together two great halves like we've done several times this season, we'll be more of a threat next year."

The Lions finish the season 6-12 overall after falling to top-seeded Methodist in the first round of the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament.