BREVARD, N.C. – In an epic clash of two of the top teams in the USA South Conference, Piedmont University (10-5, 6-1 USA South) edged the Brevard College women's lacrosse team (11-3, 5-2 USAS) 14-13 in a thrilling matchup on Wednesday evening at Ives-Lemel Family Field.
The defeat halts a program-record seven-game win streak for the Tornados, who have clinched postseason play for just the second time in program history and the first time since the 2016 season.
Sophomore midfielder and reigning USA South Conference Women's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week Emily Denaga scored seven goals with two assists to lead all players with nine points. The Buford, Georgia native also led the team with six draw controls, a statistic that she currently ranks top-five in all of NCAA DIII.
Senior attacker Parker Moore added five goals, including two of the free-position variety to add to her nation-leading total of 34 free-position goals in 2023. Grace Blanton added a goal for the Tornados, her third goal in the last four contests for BC.
Sophomore goalkeeper Lex MacLauchlin tallied a career-high 19 saves to anchor the BC defense while also grabbing eight ground balls. Freshman attacker/midfielder Paige Kneubuhler caused four turnovers and grabbed six ground balls.
Piedmont's offense was led by Maggi Spratlin, who scored a team-high four goals. Merryn Bumpass added three goals and an assist, while Aly Reece dished out a game-best four assists.
Piedmont outshot the Tornados 35-19, but MacLauchlin's 19 saves kept the Lions at bay. BC held a 21-19 edge in ground balls and caused 11 turnovers to Piedmont's nine. The Lions did come away with 23 Brevard turnovers and won 18 draw controls to BC's 13. The Tornados converted 8-of-11 of their free position shots compared to a 1-of-5 mark for the Lions.
Moore scored a pair of goals within the first four minutes of action for the Tornados as Brevard held the early 2-0 advantage. The Lions were able to strike back, however, scoring a goal in the power play followed by a pair of scores to close out the first quarter on a 3-0 run, as the visitors held a one-goal lead after one period of action.
PU's goal run continued as the Lions scored consecutive goals to begin the second quarter of play, but Brevard halted the run with a Denaga power-play goal on a free-position attempt. Piedmont extended its lead to a game-high four goals before the two sides traded scores to close the first half out, as the Lions took an 8-4 edge to the locker rooms.
BC used goals from Denaga, Moore, and a player-up goal by Blanton to start the second half on a 3-0 run, cutting the deficit down to just one, 8-7. Piedmont's Spratlin and Lovette Choloh answered back with a pair of goals before Denaga scored a power play FPS with five minutes left in the third period. Both teams were held scoreless through the remainder of the quarter as Piedmont took a two-goal lead, 10-8, into the final period of action.
Each side traded score-for-score through the first 10 minutes of the fourth quarter, with the Lions clinging to a two-goal cushion, 14-12, with just four minutes left to play. Brevard was handed a pair of yellow cards down the stretch, but successfully killed the time on both penalties before Denaga scored a free-position goal with 41 seconds left, trimming the deficit to just one goal 14-13. However, Piedmont was able to win the ensuing draw control and run out the remainder of time on the game clock as the Tornados narrowly fell in a heartbreaking conference result.
Brevard will celebrate Senior Day alongside the BC men's lacrosse program on Saturday at 3 p.m. as the Tornados take on Southern Virginia University at Ives-Lemel Family Field. BC will honor its seven seniors Meredith Brown, Ashton Cashwell, Savannah Colliver, Autumn Kraemer, Josh Mitchell, Parker Moore, and Grace Vaught in a special ceremony immediately following the conclusion of the BC men's lacrosse contest vs. SVU.
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-BC-