NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 16, LaGrange 9
Records: Piedmont, 8-7 (6-1 USA South); LaGrange, 6-8 (3-4 USA South)

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont men's lacrosse team won its fifth consecutive contest, toppling LaGrange 16-9 on Wednesday night in Demorest.

Senior AVERY JENKS continued his fantastic senior season, leading the team with five goals while adding an assist. In the process, Jenks surpassed his brother Brady and now holds the single season record for goals in a season, becoming the first in program history to reach 50 goals in one campaign.


 

Another record for AVERY JENKS - this time the single-season goals record! pic.twitter.com/9ZhXlE3OIA

— Piedmont Lacrosse (@PiedmontLax) April 21, 2022

Fellow senior PHILLIP WATTERS pitched in, adding three goals while MICHAEL ANDERSON and BRADY MCGUIRE added two apiece.

The Panthers hung tough in the early going, and took a 2-1 lead midway through the first quarter after Piedmont opened the scoring on Jenks' first goal of the evening.

LaGrange's Ryan Comeau notched his second goal of the game, tying the score at 3-all heading to the second quarter.

However, from there, it was all Lions, who held the Panthers scoreless for the entirety of the second period and removed all doubt from the outcome, outscoring them 13-6 the rest of the way.

Piedmont led 9-3 gong to the break and controlled play throughout the second half, as LaGrange's deficit was not fewer than five in the final 30 minutes.

Senior NAZHIR ELLERBE tallied his first goal of the season, scoring in the second quarter.

Up next, the Lions will play their final home contest of the season, a rematch of last season's USA South Championship game against Pfeiffer. The game is scheduled for this Saturday, April 23 at 5 p.m. Prior to the contest, 10 Piedmont seniors will be honored for their contributions to the program.

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont used a dominant defense and outscored the Panthers 6-0 in the second quarter to grab control of the game.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Jenks tied his season and career high with five goals, reaching that mark for the third time this season.
 
- CONNOR ROGERS led the Lions with a pair of assists.
- Freshman defender ERIC FEWELL delivered four ground balls and caused three turnovers.
- MACKLIN FLANIGAN had a team-best seven ground balls and four caused turnovers.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Lions doubled up the Panthers with a 36-18 edge in shots on goal.
- Piedmont took control of possession more often than not, winning 18-of-29 faceoffs.

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.