Box Score Marietta, OH - The Piedmont College men's soccer team gave up two goals in the first six minutes of play to fall 2-1 to hosting Marietta College in the Marietta Soccer Classic earlier today kicking off the 2014 season.  The Lions scored on a corner kick and took eight compared to just three for Marietta, but the home team used the early push to hold on for a victory in their own season opener.

It was two through balls that caused the early issues for Piedmont on the road as Marietta was able to create a pair of one-on-one chances with Lions goalkeeper Kenneth Hearn.  Hearn was unable to make a save on either strike to the lower right hand corner as Marietta's Wesley Riley scored both to make it a 2-0 game before six minutes gone. 

After the early flurry, the young Lions seemed to settle in as Head Coach Jimmy Stephens started six newcomers including five freshmen in today's season opener.  For Marietta, Riley's play as a senior made the difference as he calmly put away both his chances.

Piedmont outshot the Pioneers from that point on putting six of its 11 shots on frame while Marietta's only two chances put on target throughout the day were the two early goals.  The Lions cut the margin in half with a goal from substitute Shawn Williams, another freshman making his debut for Stephens on opening day.  Williams put away a corner kick service from fellow freshman Ryan Herbert to put the score at 2-1.

Vincent Thomas had a header late in the match forcing Marietta keeper Sebastian Parra to make a save and deny the equalizer.  Despite the chances to tie late, the Lions could not draw level as the score stayed at 2-1 for the final 55 minutes.

The loss drops Piedmont to 0-1 and is the fourth straight loss in a season opener for the Lions who last won an opener in 2010 when the squad took a 7-1 win over visiting Tennessee Temple University.  Piedmont has played its last three season openers away from home.

PC will now face Bethany College in their final game of the Marietta Soccer Classic set to being at noon tomorrow, August 31st.  Fans can follow the action with live stats provided by the Marietta College Sports Information Department.