NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 13, Va. Wesleyan 11
Records: Piedmont, 4-4; Va. Wesleyan, 4-2

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont men's lacrosse team dominated early and held on late in a 13-11 win over Virginia Wesleyan on a chilly and windy Tuesday afternoon in Demorest.

Junior attackman BRADY MCGUIRE was the star of the show for the Lions, as he contributed a hat trick to go along with a team-best five assists. In the process, McGuire joined the 100-point club midway through his third season with the Lions. He was supported on the offensive end by MICHAEL ANDERSON, who continued his scoring run with a team-high four goals.


 

Not bad for a Tuesday afternoon's work!

BRADY MCGUIRE with 5 assists, 3 goals and joined the 100 point club! pic.twitter.com/jQFN1wzAr1

— Piedmont Lacrosse (@PiedmontLax) March 14, 2023

The game was a defensive slugfest in the early going. Piedmont did score twice in the opening minutes as JOSH FRALEY and Anderson found goals. However, from there, the game was scoreless until the final moments of the opening quarter as Fraley scored again, off McGuire's first assist.

The onslaught from the Lions continued early in the second. Playing down a man, Anderson was not deterred, rocketing an unassisted goal to the top right of the net and past the Marlins goalie.

Although Va. Wesleyan was able to score twice midway through the period, Piedmont beat the halftime buzzer by a few seconds, with defender DEZMOND STOLLINGS scoring off McGuire's assist and 100th career point.

The offense opened up in the second half with the Marlins using a 3-0 goal scoring run to cut their deficit to 7-6 with 11:53 to go in the third quarter. However, they never were able to tie the score as the Lions continually answered with goals of their own.

McGuire was a part of all five Piedmont goals in the third quarter, scoring three himself and assisting on two others as the Lions took a 12-8 lead into the final 15 minutes.

From there, the Lions were able to hold VWU at arm's length in the final quarter, delivering a big bounce back victory heading into conference play.

Up next, the Lions will conclude their season-long five game home stretch, hosting Methodist to open USA South play this Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Both times that the Marlins cut their deficit to just one goal, McGuire answered quickly with a goal for the Lions to extend the Piedmont lead.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- McGuire's three goals and five assists were both season highs while his five assists also marked a career best.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The teams combined for 80 ground balls with Piedmont holding a 43-37 edge.
- The Lions had 10 caused turnovers as a team led by ANDREW PAGANO with four.
- Piedmont goalie JOHNNY MATRONA recorded double-digit saves for the third consecutive game, with 13 on the day.

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.