RALEIGH, N.C. — The Piedmont College women's soccer team claimed its second straight conference championship crown on Saturday, defeating Salem College 2-1 in the conference final in Raleigh, N.C.
Piedmont struck first on a set piece chance as freshman Anslyn Stamps put a left-footed strike through the oncoming Spirit defense and past Salem keeper Hannah Wagner who conceded just eight goals all season, a conference-leading mark.
With the goal from Stamps in the 39th minute, PC took a 1-0 lead to the break but the Spirits would come out firing in the second half putting pressure on the Piedmont defense.
However, the Lady Lions handled the attack well and were able to break free in the 67th minute with Stamps finding space on the left flank.
Stamps was able to find teammate Cassidy Reich running through the middle with a great pass that forced Wagner to come off her line, but Reich struck the ball just before the Salem keeper could close down to put Piedmont up 2-0 with less than 24 minutes to play.
Just under ten minutes later, the Lady Lions would concede a goal as Salem jumped on a miscue to make it a one-goal game creating a hectic final 13 minutes and change.
Freshman keeper Cierra Belnikie had to make eight saves in the contest to preserve the win including several late and one on the final kick of the ball.
After a lofted service was bumped out of her hands by a field player, Belinkie had to dive back to stop the ball from drifting over the goal line just holding it out with the last second ticking off the clock.
