NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Piedmont 0, LaGrange 0 (Piedmont Advances 4-3 in PK Shootout)
Records: Piedmont, 15-4-1; LaGrange, 4-11-4

DEMOREST, Ga. - In a dramatic battle in the CCS Tournament First Round on Saturday in Demorest, Piedmont women's soccer escaped past LaGrange in a PK shootout.



 

IT'S OVER!
Alison Witkiewicz with the goal as the Lions defeat the Panthers in PKs to advance to the semifinals against Belhaven! pic.twitter.com/Zlr32XK5jg

— Piedmont Lions (@PiedmontLions) November 1, 2025

In what will officially go down as the team's first draw of the season, the Lions and Panthers engaged in a defensive battle for 110 minutes, forcing the game to end in the penalty shootout.


After falling behind early in the shootout, the Lions battled back, as sophomore Alison Witkiewicz took advantage of her opportunity to send the Lions to the CCS Tournament Semifinals.

Goalkeeper Hannah Thompson was all over the field on Saturday, starting the game as a forward, before entering in the second half.

The senior came away with a crucial save off of the Panthers' best chance, diving to steal away an opportunity and keep the game scoreless late in regulation.


 

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Hear from Hannah Thompson & Alison Witkiewicz after a thriller at the WAC! pic.twitter.com/daXqKph0US

— Piedmont Women's Soccer (@PiedmontWSOC) November 1, 2025

Then, in the penalty shootout, she came through again, getting a piece of a LaGrange attempt enough to cause it to deflect off the crossbar, setting up Witkiewicz's big moment.

Although the Lions generated more chances throughout the contest, LaGrange goalkeeper Carsen Makuch stood tall, making nine saves to keep the Panthers even with the Lions.

This marks the third consecutive PK shootout in which the Lions have prevailed at home and the first one at the WAC since they took home the 2022 CCS Championship against Maryville.

Up next, Piedmont will take to the road for the CCS Tournament Semifinals, battling No. 2 seed Belhaven at 7 p.m. ET.

TURNING POINT:
- After the Panthers converted on their first three attempts in the PK shootout, they missed wide on the fourth and Thompson got a piece of the fifth to set the Lions up to advance.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
- Thompson delivered an all-around standout performance on Saturday, starting as a forward, playing 65 minutes in goal, making a pair of saves in regulation and then helping the Lions prevail in the shootout.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on X @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook.