NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 0, Maryville 0 (2 OT: 3-2 PK)
Records: Piedmont, 13-5-1; Maryville, 11-5-4

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont University women's soccer team won the first ever CCS Championship in penalty kicks, 3-2.


 

The sound of victory. ?? pic.twitter.com/EieEspSlJ1

— Piedmont Lions (@PiedmontLions) November 6, 2022

Gloomy weather oversaw Piedmont and Maryville battle it out for the CCS Championship early Saturday afternoon. Both squads matched up well against one another in the early stages of the contest. 

The Scots and Lady Lions traded opportunities in the first 45, with Maryville narrowly edging out the lead in shots 6-5. The Scots controlled the better portion of the final 15 minutes of the first half, but neither team would find the back of the net before the halftime whistle.

Out of half, the Scots picked up right where they left off. However, the script would flip and the Lady Lions would begin to dominate.

Following a foul, Senior Hailey Tigue would play the free kick short to Senior Kaity Hemperly, who pulled it from over 30 yards out but only found post. This marked the best chance for Piedmont to break the tie, but the teams were level after 90 minutes.

Heavy downpour ensued as overtime began at the Walker Athletic Complex. The Scots led in overtime opportunities 6-2 but the game remained 0-0 after 110 minutes of play and penalties would be required to find a winner. 

Delany Muldoon was the first to shoot for the Scots, only to have her attempt saved. Piedmont followed with Abby Judge who placed her shot over the crossbar.

Maryville would be the first to score as Hannah Smoot would best Hayley Dornan in goal. Anya Olson took the next penalty for the Lady Lions but it was saved by a diving Sydney Mahr.

With a 1-0 lead, Scots leading scorer on the season Sierra Lee went bottom right and beat Dornan, despite Dornan getting a hand to it. 

Trailing by 2, Piedmont needed to find a successful attempt. Kaylee King did just that, putting a left footed ball away to get Piedmont on the board. 

Dornan shut down Annabelle Procter on Maryville's next attempt and Katy Brown hit a laser through the hands of Mahr to level the squads 2-2. 

In the biggest save of the penalties, Dornan made the final save against Hailey Cartt and gave Piedmont a chance to win it.

Kaity Hemperly took the long walk up to the spot and buried the opportunity in the bottom left, crowning Piedmont the first ever CCS Champions.

The Lady Lions now await the NCAA Selection show on Monday to see if their season continues. 

TURNING POINT:
- Hayley Dornan shut down Hailey Cartt on Maryville's 5th attempt to give Kaity Hemperly the chance to win it. 


 

Your CCS Tournament MVP: Haylee Dornan! ???? pic.twitter.com/gHeS5uCoc7

— Piedmont Women's Soccer (@PiedmontWSOC) November 5, 2022

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE:
- Hayley Dornan kept a clean sheet through 110 minutes and saved multiple PKs during the final moments.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- Piedmont is crowned the first ever CCS Champion with the win over Maryville and awaits the NCAA selection show to see if their season will continue. 
- Head Coach Timmy McCormack has now captured three conference tournament titles in six seasons leading the Lady Lions. All three final wins have been at the hands of Maryville.


 

Hear from the big man himself on the CCS title! ?? pic.twitter.com/pdG2Ht0HoW

— Piedmont Women's Soccer (@PiedmontWSOC) November 5, 2022

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