Need to Know
Score:  Piedmont 1 - Methodist 0 (F-2OT)
Records:  Lady Lions 20-1-1 (10-1-1 USA South), Monarchs 13-6 (9-3 USA South)
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina - Meredith Athletic Field

Raleigh, NC - In possibly one of the most dramatic finishes in Piedmont women's soccer history, the Lady Lions were able to come away with a 1-0 win in double overtime over 4th seeded Methodist University and claim the 2015 USA South Championship on Saturday afternoon.  

The two played through almost 110 scoreless minutes until PC's CASSIDY REICH scored with only 15.3 seconds left to hand Piedmont the double overtime victory and its second conference title in three years.  Though Reich's magic moment would hand Piedmont the win and her the MVP trophy for the tourney, Piedmont's season was saved midway through the first overtime period in perhaps the biggest moment of the game.

In the 95th minute, a penalty kick was awarded to Methodist for a hand ball in the box with MU's Taylor Cavazos stepping up to take the kick and the season as well as the USA South title within grasp.  However, sure defeat turned to pure elation when Cavazos' strike to the left was saved by Piedmont goalkeeper MICHAELA GARDNER who read the shot and made a brilliant 2-handed save to keep her team alive in postseason play.

Now with the moment of brilliance having occurred in the defensive half, Piedmont would make good on its second chance after the Lady Lions earned a free kick about 15 yards the other side of midfield and under a minute to play in the second overtime period.

As cool as the other side of the pillow, it was the youngster CASSIDY REICH who stepped up to take the kick and went against conventional thought shooting from nearly 45 yards out from goal.  However, the shot skipped off the turf in the box and fooled Methodist keeper Taylor Ross who backed up but could not reach the long distance effort as it glanced off her fingers and into the upper 90 on the right side of the goal.

Reich's wonder-strike from distance sent the Green and Gold careening onto the field to carry away the USA South Tournament trophy and the league's automatic berth into the NCAA National Tournament.

The NCAA trip will be Piedmont's 3rd in five seasons after the Lady Lions had never been before 2011's GSAC title.  The team will await word on its postseason destination to come out Monday from the NCAA.

Turning Point
--The two biggest moments came at opposite ends of the field for PC as MICHAELA GARDNER saved a PK in the first overtime before CASSIDY REICH ended the game with her golden goal as just 15.3 seconds remained in the second overtime period.

Standout Performances
--MICHAELA GARDNER had a performance to be remembered for ages as she picked up her 13th solo shutout of the season complete with five saves including her biggest of the season on the PK stop in OT.
--CASSIDY REICH scored the gamewinner with just over 15 seconds to go, her 9th of the season which ties her for 1st in the country in that category.

Inside the Box Score
--Though the shot count was even at 16 each, Piedmont had the better of the chances with 14 of its 16 shots finding the frame as opposed to five shots on goal for Methodist.
--PC also had the edge in corners seven to four with each team earning quality chances on set pieces throughout.

News & Notes
--Piedmont will be making its third appearance in the NCAA National Tournament in the last three seasons under Head Coach Stephen Andrew who helped PC to its first such appearance in 2011.
--The loss for Methodist is the second straight defeat in overtime of a USA South Championship Game that the Monarchs have suffered as Maryville also knocked off MU last season in OT to win the title.
--The Lady Lions become the first team in all of NCAA Division III to reach 20 wins on the season.
--PC's defense has been reliable throughout 2015 and is currently riding a streak just shy of 600 scoreless minutes of action with its last goal allowed coming in a 4-1 win over LaGrange on October 17 which started Piedmont's current 7-game winning streak.

Up Next
With the win, Piedmont will make an appearance in the NCAA National Tournament awaiting word on its postseason destination which will come out on Monday's selection show set to air at approximately 1:00 pm on NCAA.com.

How to Follow
To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont College Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, Snapchat: @PiedmontLions and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.

Courtesy of the USA South Athletic Conference Office:

Raleigh, NC - For the second consecutive year, the USA South Women's Soccer Tournament championship game needed extra time to be decided.

This year, with 15.3 seconds remaining in the second overtime, Piedmont College's CASSIDY REICH scored on a free kick to give the second-seeded Lions a dramatic 1-0 victory over fourth-seeded Methodist University in title game which took place on Saturday, November 7 on the campus of Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The win earns the Lions the program's second tournament championship in three years. 

For her efforts throughout the tournament, Reich was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

With the victory, Piedmont claims the USA South's automatic bid into the 2015 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament.

2015 USA South Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team

F - CASSIDY REICH, Piedmont (MVP)
F - MEGAN HATFIELD, Piedmont
F - Capri Clark, Methodist
MF - Lizzy Simmons, Maryville
MF - Taylor Cavazos, Methodist
MF - Ellice Johnson, Meredith
D - Eryka Underwood, Methodist
D - MARISSA AKIN, Piedmont
D - EMILY CORSON, Piedmont
G - Taylor Ross, Methodist
G - MICHAELA GARDNER, Piedmont

Tournament Website

Tournament Bracket

 

Tournament Schedule

First Round - Saturday, October 31 #8 Ferrum - 0   #1 Meredith - 1 #7 N.C. Wesleyan - 0   #2 Piedmont - 2 #6 Greensboro - 0   #3 Maryville - 6 #5 Covenant - 0   #4 Methodist - 2

Semifinals - Friday, November 6 (played at Meredith College) #4 Methodist - 1   #1 Meredith - 0 #3 Maryville - 0   #2 Piedmont - 2

Final - Saturday, November 7 (played at Meredith College) #4 Methodist - 0   #2 Piedmont - 1 (2ot)