Box Score NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 1, Brevard 0
Records: Piedmont, 8-6-1; Brevard, 6-2-1

BREVARD, N.C. - KATELYN SMITH's beautiful free kick that curled perfectly into the top right corner of the net proved to be all the Piedmont women's soccer team needed in a 1-0 victory over Brevard on Tuesday night in the USA South West Division Tournament First Round.

With the game scoreless early in the second half, the junior stepped up from about 35 yards out and delivered the strike that proved to be the difference in the closely contested first round matchup.

Forced to take to the road after the teams were unable to play their scheduled regular season contest in Demorest, the Lady Lions controlled possession and the shot count (20-7) to advance to the championship game.

Smith's goal was her third of the season and marked her first career game winner.

Neither team was able to generate much in the way of offense in a hard-fought defensive battle in the first half. Piedmont held an 8-4 shot advantage but goalkeeper MIRANDA MCNALLEY was forced to make four of her five total saves in the opening 45 minutes.

Then, coming out of the break, Smith's strike came just over two minutes into the second half and the Lady Lions held off the Tornados from there.

The strong Piedmont defense followed a trend from the regular season in which it delivered five shutouts against USA South foes.

The win Tuesday night sets up a road showdown with Maryville in the USA South West Division Championship. Game date and time is to be determined. The teams last met in postseason play in the 2018 USA South Championship, a game in which Piedmont prevailed, 1-0.

TURNING POINT:
- Smith's beautiful free kick goal in the opening minutes of the second half proved to be the difference.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Smith's goal was her third of the season as she scored twice in Piedmont's 7-0 rout at Berea on March 6.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lady Lions were able to generate four corner kick opportunities and held Brevard without a single one.

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, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.