Box Score Piedmont Scores Late in 2-1 Heartbreaker
DEMOREST, Ga. – That score line easily could have been flipped, but Friday night's "game of inches" didn't go the way of the Maryville Scots.
Just after Emilie Guigou appeared to have scored the game-winning goal on a blistering shot late into double overtime, Piedmont's Mandy Weinhart answered on the other end. Weinhart connected between two Maryville defenders on a nifty pass from Kaylee King and scored near post with just 1:24 remaining to seal a 2-1 decision for the homestanding Lions.
Guigou's shot in the 107th minute from outside the penalty area seemed destined for the left inside netting, only to have Piedmont's Laila Allen make a fingertip save. Allen faced 21 Maryville shots and posted six saves.
The Scots peppered Allen with a few more legitimate scoring attempts before Piedmont broke free for one final push. King swung wide to the left and fired a low pass in front of the goal box, where Weinhart extended her left leg and redirected the ball cleanly home for the winner.
Back at the end of regulation, Sierra Lee barely misfired a header over that same goal off a corner kick. And minutes before that, Sophie Turner came up big when she prevented a shot after a stumble at the edge of the box in the 85th minute, keeping the game tied.
Similar Goals in Regulation
Both teams' goals in regulation were scored off loose balls in front.
Maryville's Kelsey Green pounced on a stray ball that squirted free right at her feet. Green didn't miss the opening at the right of the net for her team-leading seventh goal of the season, and Maryville led 1-0 in the 15th minute. Green has scored four goals in her last three matches.
Piedmont's Anya Olson had the same good fortune early in the second half when an initial shot by Weinhart was blocked. Olson wasted no time with the rebound in the 48th minute and it was 1-1.
Maryville held a 21-9 lead in shots and a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks. Shots in the second overtime period favored the Scots 4-1, but it was Piedmont that found the netting.
Four teams sit atop the USA South's Western Division with nine points. Piedmont improved to 7-3-3 overall and 3-1-0 in conference, while the Scots are now 6-6-2 and 3-2-0. Covenant is 3-0-0 heading into Saturday's showdown against Brevard, which stands at 3-1-0.
Maryville plays again Wednesday at Brevard.
