NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Southern Virginia 16, Piedmont 9
Records: Piedmont, 0-6 (0-1 USA South); Southern Virginia, 2-4 (1-0 USA South)

DEMOREST, Ga. - Making its first appearance in front of the home fans this season, Piedmont men's lacrosse was unable to stop a second half surge from Southern Virginia, falling 16-9 on Saturday afternoon.

In the team's USA South opener, the Lions overcame and early deficit to pull even in the second quarter. However, the Knights rebounded and ran away from the Lions in the second half to take the win.

In a game that was relatively even on the stat sheet, the Lions received some solid performances across the board in a balanced attack.

Josh Tamarkin scored twice, while Austin Sprout scored his first two goals of the 2026 season. Freshman Grady Eyler also continued the solid start to his career, finding the back of the net twice.

Defensively, sophomore Max Peek caused a season-high four turnovers while freshman Griffin Spencer added three caused turnovers.

John Dieterly was strong on faceoffs, winning 15-of-22 for the game.

SVU was strong out of the gate, reeling off four straight goals to start the game. However, Piedmont was able to gather itself with its own 4-0 run spanning the end of the first and start of the second quarters to knot the score at 5-5.

However, the Knights regained their momentum with a 3-1 run to end the first half and take an 8-6 lead to the break.

It was all Knights in the second half, outscoring the Lions 4-1 in the third quarter and 4-2 in the final quarter to win going away.

Up next, Piedmont remains at home to take on LaGrange this Wednesday, March 11 at 6 p.m.

TURNING POINT:
- The Knights regained momentum after the Lions tied the score at 5-5 midway through the second quarter, scoring three of the next four goals to lead at halftime.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Peek delivered four caused turnovers to lead the team.
- Dieterly added 15 faceoff wins in 22 chances.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Turnovers for the game were dead even at 28 apiece.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
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