Piedmont University Athletics

NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Meredith 26, Piedmont 8
Records: Meredith, 11-3; Piedmont, 9-7

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont women's lacrosse team fell to Meredith by a 26-8 margin on Saturday afternoon in the USA South Championship Final.

The Lady Lions battled in the first half, keeping the game within the 10-goal margin. However, the Avenging Angels delivered a stifling defensive performance in the second half, holding Piedmont scoreless to run away with the title.

Senior EMMA FRANSEN delivered an outstanding performance in defeat, pacing the Lady Lions with five goals to earn a spot on the USA South All-Tournament Team. AISLYNN KIMBRO also added a pair of goals while LINDLEY WARD delivered a goal and an assist.

Meredith's Lilia Cruz was named Tournament MVP after an outstanding day with five goals and five assists.

The Avenging Angels were hot out of the gate scoring two quick goals inside the first minute of play, but the Lady Lions were able to answer back to cut the lead to 2-1. Fransen was first on the board for Piedmont, scoring to cut its deficit to 2-1 in the early going. 

Merediths led 3-1 after a free position goal by Arianna May, but with just under 25 minutes on the clock, Fransen scored by the same token with a free position goal making it 3-2. After a pair of goals by Meredith, Ward scored in a man-down opportunity with Fransen sidelined after a yellow card 

Ward finished it off in the bottom left corner while charging at the net making it 5-3. Meredith then went on the attack with a 12-3 run to go into halftime with a 17-8 advantage.

The Avenging Angels clamped down on the defensive end in th second half, holding Piedmont scoreless over the final 30 minutes while adding nine goals themselves to cruise their way to a seventh consecutive USA South Tournament Championship.

The loss ends a successful 2021 campaign for the Lady Lions, who finished with a 9-6 mark including a 6-0 USA South regular season.

TURNING POINT:
- An 8-0 run by the Avenging Angels put them ahead in the first half and allowed Meredith to advance and claim the title. 

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Four Lady Lions were named to the All-Tournament Team as MACEY HIGGINS, EMMA FRANSEN, CARA CRUMP and KELLIANNE SCHLOSSER earned honors.

FULL USA SOUTH ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:

Attack
Olivia Blake, Meredith
Lilia Cruz, Meredith - MVP
MACEY HIGGINS, Piedmont
Kylie Phillips, Meredith
 

Midfield
Jessica Dowdy, Meredith
EMMA FRANSEN, Piedmont
Arrianna May, Meredith
Briana Petrusa, Meredith

Defense
CARA CRUMP, Piedmont
Ansley Harris, Meredith
Meredith Manson, Pfeiffer

Goalie
KELLIANNE SCHLOSSER, Piedmont

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.