Box Score Demorest, GA - The Piedmont College women's soccer team was able to overcome a slow start and put away the Panthers of Ferrum College (3-3, 0-1 USA South) in the two squads' USA South regular season opener earlier today at Walker Athletic Complex.  The Lady Lions (4-2, 1-0 USA South) saw one of their veteran leaders step up big in a crucial moment as it was senior Shayna Rogers who scored the gamewinner in overtime after the two could not settle on a victor through regulation.

It was tough sledding to start for PC in a rather uneventful first half that saw both teams struggle to create chances as neither team developed a rhythm in the early going.  However, from the second half on, Piedmont came out on fire tallying 10 of their 12 shots in the game from halftime on putting loads of pressure on the Ferrum defense in the second half.  

Despite repeated attempts that forced Ferrum keeper Caitlyn Deaton to make three key saves in the second half, Piedmont was unable to net the separating goal in regulation having to go to overtime for the first time this season to decide the match.  The pressure continued to mount though for PC who continued to get numbers forward and get in behind the Ferrum defense creating three chances less than four minutes into the overtime period.
 
It was then a veteran in Shayna Rogers who decided to come up big for her team when they needed an offensive lift the most as she was able to strike a powerful shot to the back post for the golden goal that ended the match for PC and Ferrum's hopes of an upset of the preseason favorite to win the league.  Rogers' goal in the 94th minute was her second of the season as she is now tied for the team lead with eight total points factoring in her four assists on the year.  

Getting the win in goal was junior Michaela Gardner who moves to 4-2 as a starter.  Gardner has not allowed a score in the last 230 minutes she has been on the field for PC collecting her second solo shutout of the season.  

PC will get back on the field quickly hosting William Peace University tomorrow afternoon at Walker Athletic Complex for a 4:30 pm kickoff in the second of back-to-back league games for the Lady Lions.  The match will be aired live on the Mane Event Broadcasting Network with coverage beginning at 4:20 pm.