NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Centre 20, Piedmont 16
Records: Piedmont, 1-3; Centre, 3-0

DANVILLE, Ky. - The Piedmont women's lacrosse team saw its narrow lead slip away in a 20-16 loss at Centre on Saturday afternoon in Kentucky.

The Lady Lions led by as many as four goals in the second quarter, but the Colonels continued to battle, outscoring Piedmont 9-3 in the decisive final quarter.

Despite the loss, sophomore MAGGI SPRATLIN had an outstanding day, tying for the team lead with four goals and leading the squad with five assists. Fellow sophomore MERRYN BUMPASS added four goals and an assist while newcomer AVA TRANKINA also delivered a hat trick, scoring three times with an assist.

Goalkeeper KELLIANNE SCHLOSSER was outstanding as well, making an incredible 17 saves for the Lions.

The afternoon started inauspiciously for the Lions, as Centre scored four of the game's first five goals to lead 4-1 midway through the first quarter. However, the Lions responded quickly, with goals from Bumpass, Spratlin and SIERRA JUDSON to knot the score at 4-4.

After Centre briefly retook the lead at 5-4, Piedmont reeled off a 5-0 scoring burst to lead 9-5 early in the second.

The Colonels did not go away, though, and clawed back into the contest as the Lady Lions led 10-8 headed into halftime.

Piedmont once again stretched the lead to four goals as LINDLEY WARD and MACHAELA SMITH each found the back of the net early in the third quarter. Unfortunately, from that point forward, the Colonels gradually inched closer until they took the lead for good with 9:14 to go in the game.

The four-goal loss marks the closest margin in the series since a 17-8 Piedmont win all the way back in 2015.

Up next, the Lady Lions will return to competition next Saturday, Feb. 25, hosting SAA foe Sewanee at 12 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Centre outscored Piedmont 9-3 in the fourth quarter to grab control of the contest.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Spratlin did everything on the offensive end, as the sophomore had a hand in nine of Piedmont's 16 goals with four goals and five assists.
- Schlosser kept the margin close thanks to her 17 saves in goal.
- Bumpass tied for the team lead with four goals.

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