NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Centre 11, Piedmont 5
Records: Piedmont, 1-4; Centre, 2-2

DANVILLE, Ky. - Piedmont women's lacrosse saw its offense stifled in an 11-5 road loss at Centre on Saturday afternoon in Danville, Kentucky.

Despite scoring first, the Lions were able to score only once in the second, third and fourth quarters on their way to a third consecutive loss against an SAA opponent after opening the season with a win against SAA foe Oglethorpe.

Ava Trankina delivered a hat trick even in the loss, scoring three of Piedmont's five goals while Carson Bezold and Lovette Choloh added the others.

Piedmont scored the opening goal of the game while on the power play as Trankina notched her first nearly five minutes into the game. The Lions' defense held strong early, as the Colonels did not score for almost 10 minutes into the game.

However, once they did, they took control with a flurry of three in a row to end the opening quarter leading 3-2 after Choloh found a goal in the final seconds.

With 7:40 remaining in the first half, Trankina scored with Centre on a power play to cut the Centre lead to 4-3. However, the Colonels closed the half with another 3-0 run to lead 7-3 at the break.

Piedmont was never close than three goals behind in a second half controlled by the Colonels.

Up next, the Lions will return home and open USA South play, hosting N.C. Wesleyan next Thursday, March 6 at 4 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- Centre used a pair of 3-0 runs and a 4-0 run in the second half to pull away from the Lions.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Trankina delivered another hat trick on Saturday, scoring three times. She has scored at least three goals in all five contests this season.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The shot count was even at 27 apiece but Centre was 6-of-12 on free position shots while Piedmont was just 2-of-7.

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.