NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 1, Averett 0
Records: Piedmont, 2-1; Averett, 1-2
 
DANVILLE, Va. – Piedmont University's men's soccer team need just one goal to earn a road victory on Sunday afternoon as the Lions scratched out a 1-0 win over the Averett Cougars.
 
Piedmont improved to 2-1 on the season after a pair of victories in Danville over the weekend after also taking down the Ferrum Panthers 3-0 in a game on Saturday.
 
The Lions are now 2-0 in games played away from Demorest, after going just 1-6 in those games a season ago.
 
The winning goal for the Lions came in the 21^st minute of the game after an Averett defender misplayed a long throw in from junior BRYSON TEAL. A high bounce from the throw left senior CAMERON EARLS alone in front of the goal, and a one-touch shot beat Cougar keeper Tyler Yates to the bottom left corner.
 
Earls recorded his third career hat trick with a trio of first-half goals on Saturday versus Ferrum, and wasted no time getting back into the box score Sunday.
 
The Lions went into halftime with a 1-0 lead despite being outshot 8-5 in the period, but they were efficient with their opportunities as four of their five shots were on goal.  
 
Piedmont was lucky to escape the first half without allowing a Cougar goal after Averett caused confusion early in the half and drew freshman keeper CJ WYBORN away from his post, but sophomore defender MIHAI STATE managed to save an Averett shot attempt right at the goal line to prevent an early deficit.
 
Averett created a similar situation midway through the second half when a corner kick led to chaos in front of the net. This time it was sophomore BRADLEY GEIGER who stepped in front of a point-blank shot to make a save and preserve the Lions' 1-0 lead.
 
With 14 minutes to play, a foul led to a free kick from Averett's Augustin Jaraba from just outside the box. Jaraba's shot hit the crossbar just above the top left corner, again keeping the Lions ahead after yet another close call.
 
Averett sent 15 shots toward the goal in the game but couldn't get the lucky bounce it needed to equal Piedmont as the Lions escaped with a scrappy victory.
 
It was a physical game from start to finish as neither team shied away from contact. In total, six yellow cards were handed out, four of which went to Piedmont.
 
Inside the Box Score:
- Piedmont was outshot 15-9 in the contest, but the two sides were even with six shots on goal apiece.
- The Lions have been issued 10 yellow cards through three games this season. Piedmont got nabbed for just 16 yellow cards in 12 games last season.
 
Up Next:
- Piedmont will have another doubleheader weekend starting next Saturday, September 11, with a neutral site contest versus Southern Virginia. Game time in Maryville, Tennessee is set for 6:00 p.m.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW:
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