NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 10, Methodist 7
Records: Piedmont, 3-5 (1-0 USA South); Methodist, 5-4, 0-1 USA South)

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Piedmont men's lacrosse team opened conference play with a 10-7 road win at Methodist on Saturday afternoon.

The defense for the Lions stifled the Monarchs' offensive attack, holding them to just seven goals and only two in the first half.

The Lions jumped out to a 3-1 lead early and never looked back, only trailing at 1-0.

For the second consecutive game, sophomore BRADY MCGUIRE delivered a hat trick, scoring exactly three goals. However, this time, he had company, as AVERY JENKS also added three.

Methodist opened the scoring just over five minutes in, as Hunter Vaughan found the back of the net. Then, nearly three minutes later, the Monarchs had their lead erased on the first of Jenks' three goals.

Barely a minute and a half after that, freshman JADON MORINI scored for the third straight contest and gave the Lions a lead they never relinquished.

The second quarter was dominated by defense as Piedmont increased its lead to 5-2 going into the break.

Jenks and McGuire opened the third quarter scoring to make it a 7-2 Piedmont lead before the Monarchs scored three in a row to claw back into the contest.

McGuire answered back with the last of his three goals while CHASE GOFF added an insurance goal to increase the Piedmont lead back to four.

Up next, the Lions will return home and take on Centre this Monday, March 21 at 3 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- After Methodist had made it a 7-5 game with a 3-0 scoring run late in the third quarter, BRADY MCGUIRE answered back with his third goal of the game, late in the third quarter to halt the momentum for the Monarchs.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- McGuire recorded his second consecutive hat trick after scoring four goals in Tuesday night's win over Concordia (Wis.).
- Jenks added his sixth hat trick in eight games played this season. He has scored multiple goals in all eight contests.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lions held a 37-31 edge in ground balls.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University 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.