NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 4, Asbury 3
Records: Piedmont, 5-3-2 (1-0 CCS); Asbury, 4-3-2 (0-1 CCS)

WILMORE, Ky. - The Piedmont University men's soccer team rallied past Asbury with three second half goals to in its CCS opener on Monday afternoon at Asbury.

Piedmont got things going early in the contest, scoring in the 10th minute. Freshman Mason Keith worked his way through the Eagles defense, affording him a one-on-one opportunity with the Asbury keeper. Colliding with the keeper in the box, Keith was awarded a penalty kick opportunity that senior Jason Aussin buried for his fifth goal of the season.

The Eagles leveled the contest in the 27th minute after a throw-in bounced around the box and was volleyed home by an Asbury forward. The tied game lasted just under 15 minutes as the Eagles once again found the back of the net, this time with just five minutes left to play in the half.

Piedmont came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, wasting no time leveling the score line once more. A poor turnover in the defensive third for Asbury led to a strong counterattack from the Lions, where sophomore Delroy Mattis was brought down in the box for another Jason Aussin opportunity from the spot. Nearly identical to the first, Aussin once again buried the chance in the top left corner.

Fortune continued to favor the Lions, as Asbury once again lost the ball directly off the kickoff. Aussin wasted no time, dancing in the 18 before smashing a left-footed ball in for his hat trick goal just 12 seconds after putting away the penalty.

Despite going down to ten men in the 53rd minute due to a red card, Keith put home the Lions fourth goal of the game off an assist from sophomore Davis Knight, moving the score line to 4-2. 

Asbury struck late in the 82nd minute to cut the lead to one but remained unable to find a fourth goal as the contest closed in favor of Piedmont, 4-3.

Up next, Piedmont returns to Demorest for a non-conference contest with Centre on Sunday, October 6 at 2 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Jason Aussin scored a pair of goals in a 12-second span to give Piedmont a 3-1 lead.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCE:
- Senior Jason Aussin posted a hat trick, scoring two penalties and moving his season total to seven goals.
- Freshman Mason Keith added his third goal of the season.
- Davis Knight added his second assist of the season.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Asbury out shot the Lions 25-15.
- Asbury had nine corners to the Lions one.
- Piedmont received two yellows and one red card.

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.