NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 3, Pfeiffer 2
Records: Piedmont, 8-4-3 (6-2-3 USA South); Pfeiffer, 7-8 (3-7 USA South)
DEMOREST, Ga. – The Piedmont College men's soccer team used a late goal by
CAMERON EARLS to prevail, 3-2, over Pfeiffer on Senior Night at the Walker Athletic Complex.
After the Lions (8-4-3, 6-2-3 USA South) struck in just the third minute, the teams combined for four second-half goals, but Earls' second of the night broke a 2-2 tie in the 79th minute and Piedmont held the Falcons (7-8, 3-7 USA South) off the board late to seal the win.
For the second straight home game, PC broke through early, as Earls slipped past the defense off a perfectly placed pass from
JOSE LINARES to beat the Pfeiffer goalkeeper to the spot and score into an open net.
The score remained the same throughout the first half, but the Falcons held a 10-1 shot advantage heading into the break.
Pfeiffer continued to control possession early in the second half, taking advantage of an own goal to tie the score. Then, just over five minutes later, senior
GARRETT MOORE responded with his third goal of the season to put the Lions back out front.
However, the Falcons equalized again as Chris Brown fired a rocket from just inside the box for his sixth goal of the season.
Seven minutes later, Earls once again beat the keeper to the spot off the long through ball from
NICK POPE and touched one into the open net for the decisive goal.
Overall, the Lions were outshot, 16-9, but goalkeeper
CAMERON VERONA made five saves and improved to 6-1 on the season.
TURNING POINT:
- Looking to end the team's longest winless drought of the year, Earls delivered his 16th of 2018 by using his speed to slip behind the defense and beat the goalkeeper to the ball and finish the play to give PC its sixth USA South win.
NEWS AND NOTES:
- Earls' 16 goals allows him to become the first Lion to reach that number in a season since Jorge Pradilla scored 19 in 2009.
SENIOR NIGHT:
- Before the game, Piedmont seniors
COOPER DONNELLY,
NIC ENGLERT and
GARRETT MOORE were honored for their contributions to the program.
- Moore delivered a key goal, briefly putting the Lions ahead, 2-1, early in the second half.
UP NEXT:
- Piedmont will conclude its regular season at Averett on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m.
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.
