NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 0, Mary Baldwin 0 (Piedmont advances 3-1 on PKs)
Records: Piedmont, 11-4-4; Mary Baldwin, 9-6-3

DEMOREST, Ga. - The No. 1 seed Piedmont women's soccer team escaped past No. 4 seed Mary Baldwin on penalty kicks on a rainy and cold Saturday afternoon at the Walker Athletic Complex.

As neither team was able to find the back of the net throughout regulation and both overtime periods, USA South Goalkeeper of the Year LAILA ALLEN came up clutch during play and the shootout to help send Piedmont to the semifinals.

Despite holding a 30-13 shot advantage for the day, the Lady Lions were unable to slip one past Mary Baldwin goalkeepers Anyka Wilkin and Nyasia Hawkins.

The biggest scoring chances from either side in the first half came from the Fighting Squirrels, which nearly benefitted from an own goal. However, defender MARISSA TAGHON was there for the critical save on the goal line to keep the game scoreless going into halftime.

The Lady Lions were able to create a few good scoring chances in the second half, holding an 11-6 edge in total shots. Unfortunately, none slipped past Fighting Squirrels keeper Hawkins, who made four critical saves after subbing in for the second half.

The two overtime periods were dominated by the Lady Lions, as they took 10 total shots compared to just one for Mary Baldwin.

One day after being named USA South Goalkeeper of the Year, Allen made four saves, with two coming in each half.

Entering into its first penalty kick shootout since a home loss to Covenant in 2017, Mary Baldwin was unsuccessful on its first penalty kick try. Senior ABBY JUDGE stepped up and delivered a top right strike to put the Lady Lions on the board. Then, after a big save by Allen, ANYA OLSON put one away to give Piedmont a commanding lead.

Mary Baldwin added its first point of the shootout before KAYLEE KING made it three-for-three for the Lady Lions and what turned out to be the game-winner after the Fighting Squirrels were unsucessful on their fourth attempt.

The win advances the Lady Lions to the USA South Tournament Semifinals where they will take on the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Maryville and Southern Virginia. 

TURNING POINT:
- The Lady Lions were successful on all three of its penalty kick attempts in the shootout with KAYLEE KING's strike serving as the decider.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Allen was clutch once again as she came up with four big saves before making another one in the penalty kick shootout.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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