NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 9, Pfeiffer 3
Records: Piedmont, 9-7 (7-1 USA South); Pfeiffer, 10-3 (6-2 USA South)

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont men's lacrosse team shut down Pfeiffer in a 9-3 Senior Day win on Saturday evening in Demorest.

Piedmont goalie JOHNNY MATRONA finished one short of a season high with 14 saves as the Lions held the Falcons to just one goal in the second half.


 

Big Senior Day dub for the boys.

JOHNNY MATRONA with 14 saves! pic.twitter.com/MJ6AEB6DDa

— Piedmont Lacrosse (@PiedmontLax) April 23, 2022

AVERY JENKS and MICHAEL ANDERSON were the offensive stars for Piedmont, each with three goals to go along with one assist.

The Piedmont defense was stifling all day, forcing 27 Pfeiffer turnovers while holding a 38-36 edge in ground balls. 

The game was closely contested until late in the second half, but the Lions led wire-to-wire. DREW BENNETT got the scoring started with 13:32 left in the opening quarter for just his second of the season. Then, just over a minute later, BRADY MCGUIRE scored his only goal of the contest on a nifty finish off a feed from Anderson.

Although the Falcons answered back with a goal a few minutes later, Jenks scored his first of three to put the Lions back up 3-1. Defense was the story of the second quarter with just one total goal scored in the period as senior PHILLIP WATTERS found the back of the net.

Neither team scored for nearly seven minutes in the second half until Pfeiffer's Nick Pekins cut the Piedmont lead to 4-3. However, back-to-back goals from Jenks allowed the Lions to separate as Anderson put the finishing touches on the win with all three of his goals coming in the final period.

Up next, the Lions will close out their regular season at Brevard next Saturday, April 30 at 12 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- The Lions closed strong, finishing the game on a 5-0 run.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Matrona finished with 14 saves, one short of a career high. He also added a team-best seven ground balls and pitched in a pair of caused turnovers.
- Freshman defender ANDREW PAGANO added five ground balls and tied for the team lead with three caused turnovers.
- Anderson put the icing on the cake, scoring all three of his goals in the final period.

SENIOR DAY:
- Prior to the contest, Piedmont honored seniors JONATHAN BOAN, JARED BROCK, PARKER CHEATHAM, NAZHIR ELLERBE, WILLIAM FRENCH, CHASE GOFF, MASON GRAVES, JACOB WALKER, PHILLIP WATTERS and AVERY JENKS for their contributions to the program.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- The Falcons and Lions entered the game tied in the USA South standings, with the win moving Piedmont into second place alone.

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.