NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 16, Oglethorpe 5
Records: Piedmont, 1-0; Oglethorpe, 1-2

MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Piedmont men's lacrosse team opened its 2024 season with a dominant 16-5 win over Oglethorpe on Saturday afternoon in Mount Berry, Georgia.

In game one of the Peach Cup Games, the Lions cruised past the Stormy Petrels and will play Berry tomorrow at 3 p.m. for the title of the four-team event.

The Lions led wire-to-wire, blitzing Oglethorpe from the start with five consecutive goals before a quick 3-0 run by the Stormy Petrels made it 5-3.

However, Piedmont responded with a 6-0 run to going into the halftime break and then added two more to begin the second half to lead by 10 at 13-3.

From there, the Lions were never threatened, as their stifling defense allowed just two goals in the second half in the 16-5 win.

Overall, three Lions led the way offensively, as veterans Michael Anderson, Brady McGuire and Jacob Hasbrouck scored three goals each. Anderson and McGuire also added three assists each, to pace the team.

Senior Noah Glenzinski along with freshmen Joseph Whitmore and Nick Winter added their first career goals.

On the defensive side, freshman Luke Warren led the team with two caused turnovers while goalie Johnny Matrona added five saves.

Up next, the Lions will be back in action tomorrow at 3 p.m. against tournament host Berry. 

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont led the whole way, jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead and then reeling off a 10-0 run spanning the second and third quarters to take complete control.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Veterans McGuire and Anderson each tallied three goals and three assists in the win.
- Faceoff specialist Noah Glenzinski was dominant in a starting role, winning 15-of-18 on the day while freshman John Dieterly had a strong debut, taking 6-of-7.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Piedmont owned a 63-20 edge in total shots and picked up 38 ground balls, compared to just 13 for the Stormy Petrels.

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 X: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook.