NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 14, Hendrix 11
Records: Piedmont, 3-2; Hendrix, 2-2

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont men's lacrosse team held off a late Hendrix rally to move above .500 with a 14-11 win on a rainy Friday night in Demorest.

The Lions never trailed in the contest, building a small advantage early on and holding off a late rally by the Warriors in the fourth. Hendrix was able to cut the Piedmont lead to 12-10 late in the fourth quarter, but a big goal from CONNOR ROGERS provided the Lions with a critical cushion in the late going.

Freshman WILL ISLEY nabbed his first career hat trick, pacing the team with three goals on the night. It was a balanced attack overall for Piedmont, as 10 different players scored goals. Seniors MICHAEL ANDERSON and Rogers also tallied multiple goals, with two each.

Piedmont jumped out to an early lead in the opening minutes, with CONNOR FITZGERALD scoring his first of the season. The Warriors answered less than a minute later to tie the score, but that was as close to the lead as they came all evening.

Freshman ZACH AVILA put Piedmont back up 2-1 midway through the first quarter and the Lions led the rest of the way. After Hendrix scored to make it 7-5 Piedmont, the Lions took momentum into the break with goals from JADON MORINI and freshman ISAAC HARRINGTON in the final 1:21 of the half.

The Lions then took a game-high five-goal lead as CHRIS PANNENBACKER won a faceoff and took it all himself to make it 11-6 Piedmont early in the third.

From there, as the intensity of the rain increased, the defense of the Warriors tightened. Hendrix used a 3-0 scoring run to cut the Piedmont edge to 12-10, but the Lions answered back quickly to squash the rally.

Up next, the Lions will host Bridgewater next Wednesday, March 1 at 3 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- After Hendrix had cut its deficit to 12-10 midway through the final quarter, CONNOR ROGERS scored his second and final goal of the night, a critical one to make it 13-10 Piedmont and halt the Warriors momentum.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Entering Friday night's contest as the team leader in assists, the freshman Isley was on the receiving end against the Warriors, leading the team with three goals.
- As the Lions forced 26 Hendrix turnovers, sophomore ANDREW PAGANO paced the team with four caused turnovers.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont held a 17-11 edge in faceoffs won.
- The Lions also had 27 shots on goal, while allowing just 18.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- The win improves the Lions to 2-0 at home this season.

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.