Lady Cougars Fall in Soccer Semifinals

The memorable 2009 season came to an end Tuesday for the Piedmont Academy Lady Cougar soccer team.

Piedmont dropped a 6-0 semifinal match to Heritage of Newnan in a contest played at Stratford in Macon. The Lady Cougars, who are just in their second year of competing, faced a much more experienced opponent Tuesday.

“They’ve had a program for 20 years,” Lady Cougar coach Robbie Kinard said. “They also play club soccer year around.”

The Piedmont coach said his team played better in the second half after overcoming a case of prematch nerves. Trailing 3-0 after the first 40 minutes, it was difficult for the Lady Cougars to rally, however.
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“We were very nervous,” Kinard said. “We had one player who was literally sick before the match because she was so nervous.”

Still, Piedmont finishes third in the state among 30 schools in its classificiation who compete.

“I told them in order to lose in the semifinals, you have to reach the semifinals,” Kinard said. “To accomplish what we have is really remarkable.”

Prior to the semifinal match, the Lady Cougars defeated Bulloch 5-0 in the second round last week. Kelly King scored two goals with Aly Kinard, Jordana Pope and Mary Ashlynn Dennis each scoring one. Kinard, Dennis and Jerica Jenkins had assists.