Box Score Demorest, GA — Piedmont Men's Lacrosse traveled to NCAA Division II opponent Young Harris College this evening, battling for 60 minutes and coming away with a 13-9 victory. The Lions were outshot in the first half but made the shots count converting 7-13 shots on goal in the half before improving the lead in the second half.

Both teams were testing the other's keeper early; junior Dale Morley was in goal for the Lions this evening and made two strong saves early in the first period. The defensive momentum lead to offensive opportunities and the first goal of the match by Steve Blanchard halfway into the period. Not a minute later, Holin Axley slid past the defense and scored on a Nick Green assist. Two more minutes barely passed and Spencer Ortis notched a grand goal for the 3-0 lead with five minutes left in the period.

Young Harris turned the tide in the second period, gaining early possession and scoring two goals to reel in the Lions. Holin Axley scored another great goal halfway into the period, but the answered with another goal. Morley continued to make great saves in the back to hold onto a Piedmont 4-3 lead, the goalkeeper woud gather 14 saves in the match.

The Lions came out of halftime wanting more than just a one goal lead and quickly earned it. Patrick Ammons assisted a third Blanchard goal in the first minute of play while Nick Green and Spencer Ortis each added unassisted goals of the their own before three minutes had elapsed in the half. Young Harris tallied three more goals in the latter minutes of the period, but an extra Ortis goal assisted by Branson Mikell kept Piedmont ahead 8-6.

Junior Sumner Gantz started off the final quarter with another successful faceoff; the midfielder would go 15-25 from the center circle gathering an assist and eight ground balls in the process. After a five minute stalemate, Young Harris drew first blood and inched closer to a tie at 10:11 left. The Lions then launched an offensive barrage against the Mountain Lions. Success came quickly with another Nick Green goal. In the final five minutes of play Young Harris would score two more goals but it wasn't enough as the Lions scored four in the same timeframe. Sophomore Taylor Carter added two goals with his first being the eventual game-winner. In the final three minutes, Ortis and Blanchard both pounced on chances and hit the target for their final goals of the game sealing a 13-9 victory.

The Lions are now 5-4 overall with the road victory. They'll return home and prepare to host Centre College next Tuesday, March 25th at 7:00 PM under the lights in Demorest.