Box Score Fayetteville, NC - The Piedmont College men's soccer team got an early goal but could not keep Methodist University off the scoreboard as the Monarchs took a 4-1 decision over PC earlier today.  Piedmont took the kickoff finding freshman Ryan Herbert streaking in as the young forward scored just seconds into the game to put the Lions up 1-nil, but the Monarchs scored four unanswered en route to the victory to hand Piedmont its first loss in league play.

The Piedmont goal off the kickoff was a wonder strike from Herbert that will likely be the goal of the season of PC as the Lions caught the Monarchs sleeping off the kickoff.  Herbert calmly touched down a pass from Vincent Thomas and then promptly fired a volley to the back right corner for a brilliant goal to put Piedmont out in front before fans had settled into their seats.

Herbert's goal came just nine seconds into the match, one of the fastest goals in the history of the men's soccer program at Piedmont College and one which will enter the NCAA Record Books at the end of the season as one of the fastest in the history of Division III, tied for top five in that category all-time.  For the youngster out of Cumming, Georgia, the goal is his sixth of the season, one shy of the most by a Piedmont freshman since Sidney Smith scored seven in 2009 to earn GSAC Freshman of the Year honors.

Methodist equalized on a header by Sean McDonald off a corner kick a little more than seven minutes later, one of eight corners in the first half for the home team.  The goal came despite solid play from Lions keeper Kenneth Hearn who made several point blank saves in the early going to help Piedmont keep the lead. 

After the Monarchs' tying goal in the 8th minute, the home team would be held at bay for the next 27 until finally taking the lead for good on a goal by target forward Eirik Nordseth who currently leads the league in total points and goals.  Up 2-1 at half, Methodist would chip on two more in the second half to take a 4-1 win despite the early flurry from the visiting Lions.

With the loss, Piedmont falls to 5-4 picking up its first conference loss in three USA South games this season.  The Lions have led in all but one of their nine games on the year with that lone contest coming in the season opener, a 2-1 loss vs. Marietta College.

Piedmont will stay in league play for its next contest as the Lions travel to LaGrange College for a mid-week matchup on Wednesday evening.  The October 1 contest will kickoff at 5 pm as Lions fans will be able to follow the team with live stats provided by the Office of Sports Information at LaGrange College.