Demorest, GA – The Piedmont College men’s soccer team leveled the score late, but could not hold off visiting Averett University in overtime as the Cougars handed PC a 2-1 loss Saturday with a golden goal in OT. Averett pulls to within two points of PC in the conference standings as the Lions currently hold 6th place in the USA South standings with Averett right behind.
In a scoreless first half, it was the Lions who bested the Cougars outshooting the visitors six to four though both teams were able to put a pair each on the target. Averett’s best chance came in the 31st minute when the Cougars’ Mitchell Smith broke free behind the Piedmont defense, but his shot just inside the box was denied by a last ditch effort from Kenneth Hearn whose kick save kept the match scoreless in Demorest.
Piedmont’s best effort in the first came on a shot from winger Vincent Thomas as his shot from just atop the box gave Averett keeper Martin Erenstedt all he could handle as the Cougars’ netminder also did his part to hold the shutout.
Scoreless through the intermission, each team would have a free kick chance in the final third within ten minutes of starting action back up in the second half, but both keepers would again be up to the challenge as the two stayed deadlocked at 0’s.
Neither team would score until the Cougars’ Nathan Brown cut off a pass through the Piedmont back four in the 64th minute and finished his chance for the 1-0 lead ending the shutout at Walker. Now up 1-0, Brown would have two more chances just a few minutes later with Hearn forcing his first shot wide while a header from Brown in the 67th went wide of the post as well.
In the 70th minute, PC’s Matthew Metzger gave the Lions a chance to draw level but Erenstedt would stretch to full length to keep his team in front making the save despite the deflection the ball took at the top of the box. Less than seven minutes later, PC would finally get the equalizer it was looking for as youngster Ryan Herbert continued his campaign for USA South Rookie of the Year scoring off a pass from Thomas to put Piedmont at 1-1.
Tied through the end of regulation, the two would need overtime to decide a victor with Piedmont getting a corner kick just two minutes into the extra time. However, the Lions were unable to convert on the set piece chance to end the match.
Halfway through the first OT period, Averett would put an end to the contest scoring on a cross from the right side as Brown slotted home the Kyle Mosley cross in the 96th minute for the gamewinner.
With now the 5 seed now out of reach for PC in the USA South championships, Piedmont will need to win or tie on Tuesday night against Covenant to secure the 6 seed or hope for an Averett tie or loss against William Peace. No matter the scenario, the Lions cannot finish worse than the 7 seed in the championship field and are guaranteed their best finish in a USA South regular season regardless.
Now 7-10 overall and 4-5 in USA South play, Piedmont will now prepare for its final contest of the regular season as the Lions play host to Covenant College on Tuesday, October 28th with kickoff set for 7:30 pm. The contest will also be the program’s Senior Night as well with festivities beginning approximately 15 minutes before kickoff.
All the Senior Night Recognition as well as game action against Covenant will be carried live on the Mane Event Broadcasting Network.
