Lookout Mountain, GA – The Piedmont College men’s soccer team fell in their USA South Quarterfinal round matchup Saturday dropping a 1-0 result to Covenant College on the road. The loss ends the Lions’ 2014 season at 7-12 overall and is the third straight year that PC has been eliminated from the USA South postseason in the quarterfinals.
Entering the match as the #7 seed, Piedmont created eight chances in the 90 minute match while Covenant took 15 shots, eight in the second half alone. However, it was a first half score by the Scots that proved to be the difference as Snoopy Davidson added to his conference-leading numbers with a goal in the 18th minute of play.
Davidson scored off a cross from Joel Frieson which evaded Piedmont keeper KENNETH HEARN who made nine saves on the afternoon to keep the Lions in the match. Later in the first half, Piedmont thought for a moment to have equalized, but KOFI BATES’ shot in the 37th rattled off the crossbar and out of danger without entering the goal for a 1-1 scoreline.
The match stayed 1-0 in favor of the Scots who had three corners in less than a two minute span to end the first half putting pressure on the Piedmont defense. After the intermission with Covenant up 1-0, Piedmont would get another golden opportunity to draw level as MATTHEW METZGER’s shot in the 48th forced Covenant keeper Daniel Kubin to come up with a big save and keep the Scots out in front.
A shot by Piedmont’s KELLER STREET in the 67th minute would be the Lions’ final chance to tie as they would be held without a shot the rest of the way. With the 1-0 result, Piedmont is eliminated from the USA South postseason while Covenant moves on as the #2 seed to take on the 3rd seeded Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan College who needed OT to decide a 3-2 contest with Averett University.
Metzger led the Lions with his three shots with one of those finding the frame. Five other Lions accounted for one shot each. Hearn ended the day with one goal allowed and nine saves while his counterpart Kubin needed only make the lone save on Metzger’s chance in the second half.
As a result the loss, Piedmont will wrap up their 2014 season with a 7-12 overall record. The Lions put up a 4-6 record in USA South play during the regular season and finished in the USA South standings in 7th place of 11 teams.
