The Piedmont College women’s soccer team made it back-to-back Saturday winning their second straight USA South Championship Tournament with a 2-1 win over Salem College in the Conference Final.
Piedmont struck first on a set piece chance as freshman ANSLYN STAMPS put a left-footed strike through the oncoming Spirit defense and past Salem keeper Hannah Wagner who conceded just eight goals all season, a conference-leading mark.
With the goal from Stamps in the 39th minute, PC took a 1-0 lead to the break but the Spirits would come out firing in the second half putting pressure on the Piedmont defense.
However, the Lady Lions handled the attack well and were able to break free in the 67th minute with ANSLYN STAMPS finding space on the left flank.
Stamps was able to find teammate CASSIDY REICH running through the middle with a great pass that forced Wagner to come off her line, but Reich struck the ball just before the Salem keeper could close down to put Piedmont up 2-0 with less than 24 minutes to play.
Just under ten minutes later, the Lady Lions would concede a goal as Salem jumped on a miscue to make it a one-goal game creating a hectic final 13 minutes and change.
Freshman keeper CIERRA BELINKIE had to make eight saves in the contest to preserve the win including several late and one on the final kick of the ball.
After a lofted service was bumped out of her hands by a field player, Belinkie had to dive back to stop the ball from drifting over the goal line just holding it out with the last second ticking off the clock.
Turning Point
—ANSLYN STAMPS‘ first half goal put Piedmont in the driver’s seat forcing the Spirits to chase the game with a CASSIDY REICH score in the second half giving the Lady Lions even more cushion.
Standout Performances
—ANSLYN STAMPS‘ Championship Game performance saw her get a go-ahead goal and the assist on the Lady Lions’ second goal of the day.
—CASSIDY REICH took home USA South Tournament MVP honors for the second straight year after she scored the eventual gamewinner midway through the second period.
—CIERRA BELINKIE had to make eight saves on the day to keep the victory intact as the rookie was assisted by a strong backline performance as well.
Inside the Box Score
–Piedmont was outshot in the contest overall 20-8, but the shots on goal were nearly identical with PC putting seven on frame to nine for Salem.
–The Lady Lions had two corners in the first half with one of those needing to be cleared off the line by the toe of a Spirit to keep it scoreless early on.
–Senior MORGAN EDELMAN has no stat line with goals or assists, but the holding midfielder won nearly every long-distance service launched her way by the Spirits.
News & Notes
–Piedmont saw five players make the 2016 USA South All-Tournament Team including Tourney MVP CASSIDY REICH.
–The win over Piedmont puts the Lady Lions at 5-3-1 vs. Salem in their nine meetings in the NCAA Era (Since 2003).
–The loss for Salem was just its second of the 2016 season as the Spirits’ last loss came on September 17 vs. Covenant…A tie the following day vs. Piedmont started a 13-game unbeaten streak that lasted completely through the month of October.
Up Next
With the win, Piedmont earns the USA South’s automatic berth into the NCAA National Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons and will await word on its NCAA destination when the field is announced on Monday. Fans are invited to stay tuned to PiedmontLions.com in the coming days with the news of the NCAA announcement.
2016 USA South All-Tournament Team
Midfield, Kylie Dillow (Salem)
Midfield, Martha Santos (Salem)
Midfield, TORI GILLETT (Piedmont)
Forward, CASSIDY REICH (Piedmont) – Tournament MVP
Forward, Jordan Lanier (Salem)
Forward, Jasmine Newman (Methodist)
Forward, ANSLYN STAMPS (Piedmont)
Defense, Hannah Lawrence (Meredith)
Defense, Sydney Priest (Salem)
Defense, ABBEY DUNLOP (Piedmont)
Goalie, CIERRA BELINKIE (Piedmont)
How to Follow
To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont College Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, Snapchat: @PiedmontLions and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.
