NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 15, Buffalo State 13
Records: Piedmont, 7-4; Buffalo State, 5-2

DEMOREST, Ga. - Piedmont women's lacrosse held off Buffalo State behind four goals from Aly Reece and an impressive performance in goal from Ansli Cannon on Wednesday afternoon in Demorest.

The win gives the Lions six in a row as they stepped out of conference to host the Bengals, who had lost just once entering the game.

On a day in which she tied the program career record with her 125th assist, Reece's goal scoring was the story, as she led the Lions with four goals in the game.

Cannon was the defensive story, as she was thrown into action after a late scratch. The McDonough, Georgia totaled a seaon-high 18 saves including some critical ones down the stretch as the Lions were clinging to their lead.


 

Big win for the Lions behind an impressive performance from Ansli Cannon! Piedmont holds on for a 15-13 win over Buffalo State! pic.twitter.com/6MR6WyFnAR

— Piedmont Women's Lacrosse (@PiedmontWLAX) March 19, 2025

Piedmont was first on the board with Savannah Limehouse capitalizing on a free position attempt just two minutes into the game. Merryn Bumpass added another goal for the Lions before Buffalo State got on the board.

The Bengals knotted it up at 2-2 in the first before Piedmont tacked on two more to lead 4-2 at the end of the first. Lovette Choloh added both converting a pair of free position shots. 

Reece accounted for two of the four goals in the second period as Piedmont outscored Buffalo State 4-2 in the second to lead 8-5 at the break. 

The Lions were first on the board in the second half with back-to-back goals to double up the Bengals leading 10-5. Buffalo State was not out of it however scoring three straight to cut it to 10-8. 

Piedmont used a 4-0 run to build separation again, leading 14-8, but a late run by the Bengals made it interesting as they outscored Piedmont 6-5 in the fourth period. However, it was not enough, as the Lions held the Bengals scoreless for the final 4:31 with Clara Welch's lone goal giving them a 15-13 cushion, which stood the rest of the way.

Up next, the Lions will return to conference play with a trip to Meredith on Saturday. 

TURNING POINT:
- Piedmont took control with a 4-0 run to start the fourth quarter before the Bengals rebounded to make it close late.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Aly Reece scored four goals for the Lions and added an assist to lead the team with five points. Her lone assist allowed her to tie the program career record with 125.
- Ansli Cannon earned the win in goal with 18 saves.

NEWS AND NOTES:
- This was the first meeting between these two teams. 

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.