DEMOREST — In a rematch of last year's dramatic quarterfinal, North Carolina Wesleyan College took the Piedmont College women's soccer team to the limits on Saturday afternoon in the 2015 USA South championship tournament before the Lady Lions came alive late to earn a 2-0 win at home.
Piedmont was in control much of the afternoon and placed pressure on the Battling Bishops defense in the opening minutes of the second half, but NC Wesleyan was able to hang on to its shutout weathering that early storm to keep it scoreless. With their standout youngster Ella Burkhart on a free kick in the 76th minute, NC Wesleyan look as though it might play the role of spoiler for the home team as a hard shot from about 30 out went high towards the Piedmont net.
However, PC keeper Michaela Gardner was able to get just enough of the effort to touch it high off the crossbar keeping Piedmont's chances alive, and her teammates responded to the game-saving play quickly as veteran Megan Hatfield was able to score just 42 seconds later giving 1-0 lead. Hatfield absolutely crushed her chance in the waning moments as it was freshman Cassidy Reich who found her teammate streaking through the Bishops defense.
Moments later, Hatfield would combine with Reich again with the freshman this time getting the goal as she touched a ball over the head of oncoming keeper Vanessa Batchelor after Hatfield had played the ball in. That goal gave Piedmont a 2-0 and sent the crowd into a frenzy as the Lady Lions used the two-goal shutout win to move on to the USA South Semifinals against long-time rival Maryville next Friday.
