NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 14, Methodist 12
Records: Piedmont, 11-5 (7-1 USA South); Methodist, 10-5 (5-3 USA South)

DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont women's lacrosse team outlasted Methodist for a massive 14-12 Senior Day victory on Saturday afternoon at the Walker Athletic Complex.

The win vaults the Lady Lions firmly into the top tier of the USA South as they have now won six contests in a row.

The game went back-and-forth for the entirety, with neither side leading by more than two goals at any point. However, the Lady Lions were able to take the lead late in the third quarter and made it stand the rest of the way for the team's first win over Methodist since 2019.

On the day that she was honored with five of her teammates for Senior Day, LINDLEY WARD was fantastic, leading the team with six points on three goals and three assists while also adding two caused turnovers and three draw controls. AVA TRANKINA was also unstoppable on offense and defense as the sophomore from Johns Creek led the team with five goals to eclipse the 50-goal mark on the season. She also contributed four ground balls and five caused turnovers to lead the team in those categories as well.


 

Hear from stud senior LINDLEY WARD following her 3 goal, 3 assist game to lead Piedmont to a 14-12 win over Methodist! pic.twitter.com/CrUkrpwm8W

— Piedmont Women's Lacrosse (@PiedmontWLAX) April 22, 2023

Goalie KELLIANNE SCHLOSSER added 10 saves, making a number of critical stops late in the game to help preserve the Piedmont lead.

The teams traded goals in the opening quarter until Piedmont was able to grab a 3-2 lead with 1:59 left in the first quarter while playing a player down due to a yellow card. Trankina finished a beautiful feed from Ward for her second of the opening period.

The Lady Lions were able to establish a 5-3 lead with 6:18 left in the first half before the Monarchs used a quick 3-0 scoring run in less than two minutes to grab their first lead of the game at 6-5. 

Piedmont was able to take momentum into the second half as ALY REECE found the back of the net off an assist from MERRYN BUMPASS to tie the score at 7-7 with 1:09 remaining in the second quarter.

The third quarter brought more of the same with neither side able to separate by more than a goal. Once again, Piedmont closed the quarter strong, though, with goals from Ward and Spratlin turning a 10-9 deficit into an 11-10 lead heading to the final period.

With 13:08 left in the fourth quarter, Trankina scored her fourth of the contest to make it a 3-0 Piedmont run. The rest of the quarter saw multiple big saves from Schlosser as the Monarchs were never able to re-tie the score. Finally, with 2:40 left and the Lions leading by a goal, Trankina finished off a pass from Bumpass for a big insurance goal to make it 14-12 Piedmont.


 

Big victory on senior day! ??

Piedmont 14, Methodist 12 pic.twitter.com/pwiGvHzdFX

— Piedmont Women's Lacrosse (@PiedmontWLAX) April 22, 2023

Up next, the Lady Lions will conclude their regular season next Saturday, April 29 with a contest against USA South unbeaten Meredith.

TURNING POINT:
- The Lady Lions used a 3-0 scoring run overlapping the end of the third and the start of the fourth quarter to turn a 10-9 deficit into a 12-10 advantage. Piedmont led the rest of the way.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Ward did it all, with three goals, three assists, three draw controls and two caused turnovers.
- Trankina led the Lady Lions with five goals, five caused turnovers and four draw controls.
- Reece delivered a hat trick with three goals
- Bumpass dished out a team-high four assists.

SENIOR DAY:
- Prior to the contest, seniors BRIGITTE BILDERBACK, MACHAELA SMITH, CARA CRUMP, REBECCA SLADE, ABBIE NEWBERN and Ward were honored for their contributions to the program.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The shot count was dead even, with each side attempting 27.
- The Lady Lions held a marked advantage in taking care of possession, with just 21 turnovers compared to 34 for Methodist.
- The Lions also picked up 28 ground balls, compared to just 10 for the Monarchs.

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.