DEMOREST, Ga.  With the number two seed on the line in the upcoming USA South Women's Lacrosse Tournament, Methodist University traveled to Georgia to compete against Piedmont University on Saturday. This evenly matched contest saw the Monarchs tie the score four times, but late in the fourth quarter, the Lions scored one final goal to secure an 11–10 victory at Walker Athletic Complex.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final scores: Piedmont def. Methodist, 11–10
Records: Methodist 9–6 (6–2 USA South); Piedmont 11–5 (7–1)
Location: Walker Athletic Complex; Demorest, Georgia

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Methodist responded quickly after each of Piedmont's opening goals. The Lions were the first team to score, but it took Kennedy Martin only six seconds to win the draw and net the first Monarchs goal. About a minute later, Piedmont scored, followed by Martin 30 seconds later, tying the game at 2–2. The Lions managed to score one more goal before the end of the period, claiming a 3–2 edge.
• A pair of goals in the early stages of the second quarter increased Piedmont's lead to 5–2, but then goals from Methodist players Rylie Sturgill and Layla Wiesenfeld cut the deficit down to a one-score game. Following the Lions' sixth goal, Martin struck again with back-to-back goals for the Monarchs, including a last-second score, to tie it up at 6–6 at halftime.
• Piedmont controlled the third quarter as the Lions recorded three more goals to go up in front 9–7. The lone Methodist goal of the period was scored by Maddie Hagler, off a pass from Mikayla Ramos.
• The two teams traded off goals, with Kaitlyn Coleman scoring for the Monarchs, to keep the score a two-point difference midway through the fourth quarter. Then, Hagler and Sturgill of the Monarchs each scored their second goal of the contest to make it 10–10 with four minutes left to play. In those final few minutes, Methodist had three more offensive opportunities, but on two of the possessions, the Monarchs turned the ball over while Piedmont capitalized on its last offensive chance.

FAST FACTS

• The Methodist offense was led by Martin, who scored a season-high four goals. Hagler and Sturgill were the other Monarchs to register multiple goals, two each.
• Methodist out-possessed Piedmont in the game. It showed in the amount of ground balls the teams collected, as the Monarchs secured 26 ground balls while the Lions picked up 18. Individually, Methodist's Ainsley McGinn had five ground balls, which was tied for game-high.
• Brooke Murrell and Martin were two reasons why the Monarchs had so many extra possessions. The two combined for nine of the 16 caused turnovers, with Murrell causing five (career-high) while Martin had four.

UP NEXT
Methodist returns to Monarch Stadium to wrap up the regular season on Friday, April 18, as the Monarchs host Greensboro College. The opening draw is scheduled for 1 PM.