Box Score Demorest, GA — In a terribly exciting match this evening, the Lions were unsuccessful in converting late shots on goal, falling 6-5 to the visiting Panthers of Birmingham Southern.

The Lions looked strong early after Nick Green scored less than a minute into play. Steve Blanchard moved the ball from behind the goal into Green's possession who notched the first goal of the game.

While the Lions were celebrating though, the Panthers were on the offensive. After a long series of shots on the Lions defense through the first period, Birmingham Southern found a pair of goals under six minutes left with the latter coming man-up.

The Lions weren't ready to give up already though as Holin Axley nailed a quick goal thanks to a Sumner Gantz faceoff win and assist. A minute later though, the Panthers got the upper hand again scoring with under a minute left to go up 3-2 at the first intermission.

Both teams continued trading shots through the second period. Lions keeper Mick Baker made a few solid saves to keep the Panthers offense honest. The Panthers got lucky though, scoring the only goal of the second period with 3:30 remaining to gather a 4-2 lead at halftime.

In the third, Gantz won another faceoff to give Green and Axley several chances on goal; Gantz went 10-14 in the faceoff category tonight. The hard work paid off as Taylor Carter and Holin Axley both scored at the 10:36 and 8:16 marks respectively.

Birmingham, not one to give up, answered later in the period with two of their own goals to hold a 6-4 goal lead after three periods.

The fourth period was a tense matter for both teams. Baker made a pair of brilliant saves in the defense to keep Piedmont in the game and his offense motivated.

After a Piedmont clear under 11:00 left, Piedmont let loose a barrage of shots on the visitors goal. Spencer Ortis took a run around the backside of the crease and from what looked like a 180° angle on frame scored to bring the crowd to their feet and the deficit within one, 6-5.

The Lions made a massive effort in the last eight minutes of play to tie the game with nine shots coming from the Lions' attackers. Unfortunately, no ball flew true and the Lions came away with a 6-5 loss, their first at home.

Piedmont Men's Lacrosse moves to 3-2 overall. They will travel to Conway, AR on March 5th to face Hendrix College in an 8:00 EST gametime.