NEED TO KNOW:
Game 1 Score: Piedmont 0, Birmingham-Southern 0
Game 2 Score: No. 14 Emory 7, Piedmont 0
Record: Piedmont, 0-1-1

ATLANTA - The Piedmont women's soccer team opened its 2023 season with a Friday doubleheader.

In the afternoon, the Lions played BSC to a scoreless draw in a contest that included a first-half lightning delay. Then, following a long bus ride to Atlanta, Piedmont battled against the 14th-ranked Eagles, ultimately falling by a 7-0 score.

Game 1: Piedmont 0, BSC 0

Opening the season in the pouring rain, offense was difficult to come by for both teams, with neither able to find the back of the net.

This marks the second consecutive contest between the two teams in Birmingham that has ended in a scoreless draw.

With the game scoreless late in the first half, the game was halted for around an hour due to lightning in the area. When the game resumed, defense continued to win the day.

Junior goalkeeper HAYLEE DORNAN did her part to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard, as she made seven saves.

Piedmont held tough despite BSC winning the shot count by a 13-4 margin. Four different Lady Lions tallied one shot apiece.

Game 2: No. 14 Emory 7, Piedmont 0

In a rematch of last season's NCAA Tournament matchup, the Eagles jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, scoring four times in the first half and adding three goals in the second.

Sophomore MAGGIE LEGER earned the start in goal for Piedmont and made a career-high 12 saves while freshman EMELIA DREGER played all 45 minutes in the second half and made five saves.

The Eagles saw six different players find the back of the net out of their seven goals with Avery Thompson doubling up, scoring Emory's second goal and final goal of the contest.

Up next, Piedmont will once again play two games in one day, as it takes to the road to battle No. 10 Wash U in Danville, Kentucky at 1 p.m. before taking on the host Centre Colonels at 7:30 p.m.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Dornan held another clean sheet, with seven saves in the opener at BSC.

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.