Lions blank Berea 2-0 in CCS Sunday showdown

(Mooreshots LLC)

DEMOREST, Ga. – For the second consecutive day, the Piedmont women’s soccer team saw its offense awaken in the second half, taking down Berea 2-0 on Sunday afternoon in Demorest.

Once again, it was Paige Kluba who broke the scoreless tie while Savannah Jerome added a key insurance goal in the final minutes to put the game away.

The win moves the Lions to 3-0-1 in conference contests at home and sets up a critical showdown at Maryville this week.

Much like Saturday, Piedmont’s offense struggled out of the gate, but the Lions did control possession and went to the half scoreless against the Mountaineers.

Then, in the 55th minute, Kluba delivered a beautiful strike on a free kick that beat the Berea goalkeeper to the top left corner of the net.

Although it turned out be the only goal the Lions needed, they tacked on one more for good measure in the final minutes on a perfectly sequenced double assist from Victoria Sierra to Zoe Harrison as Jerome finished the play for her third goal of the season.

The Lions held a 31-4 shot advantage while goalkeeper Maggie Leger made a pair of saves.

Up next, the Lions will battle rival Maryville, whom they defeated in last season’s CCS Tournament Final in penalty kicks.

TURNING POINT:
– Two second half goals pushed the Lions past the Mountaineers, with Kluba netting the game-winner.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
– Sophomores Kluba and Jerome each tallied their third goals of the season.
– Freshman Zoe Harrison delivered her first career assist, finding Jerome for the Lions’ second goal.

NEWS AND NOTES:
– Piedmont moves to 8-0 all time against Berea.