Lady Cougars Fall in Final Four

Piedmont Academy fell one game short of playing for a state soccer championship as the Lady Cougars dropped a 5-1 decision to Heritage last week.

With the game tied at one goal each at halftime, host Heritage scored four unanswered goals in the match’s second 40 minutes to advance. The Lady Hawks would eventually fall in the state championship game Saturday.

For Piedmont, it was a successful season, which saw the team enter the playoffs as a No. 1 seed. It was the second time in the program’s short four-year history the Lady Cougars have reached the state semifinals.

{{more}}
“The girls were disappointed, but no one expected us to get that far,” said coach Dwain Landress. “We were really young overall so we accomplished a great deal this season.”

In the semi-final match in Newnan, host Heritage took a 1-0 lead only to see Piedmont rally on a goal from Andie Lewis with approximately five minutes left before halftime. Heather Tyler had an assist on the play.

“Even when we got down, we kept fighting,” Landress said. “Heritage knew they were in for a battle. I think the physical nature of the match against us hurt them in the state championship.”
Landress said Heritage’s coach talked for several minutes at halftime with the officials.

“It worked because we didn’t get any calls in the second half,” Landress said.
Heritage went up 2-1 on a penalty kick halfway through the second half and then quickly added another goal for some breathing room.
“The floodgates just opened then,” Landress said. “Still, we never quit fighting. All the breaks just seemed to go their way. Out of their five goals, I would say one of them was legit. It was a goal no one could have stopped.”

Audrey Cleary played a strong defensive contest, her coach said, and Jordan Blackmon was moved to defense as well. Heritage’s Gray Powell was one of the top players in the state with approximately 200 career goals.

“Our 22 players are probably better than their 22,” Landress said. “However, the top five for Heritage is probably better than most in the state.”

Lewis, Mary Ashlynn Dennis, Jordana Pope, Rachel Maletz and Angelia Brown were the team’s seniors for 2011. Lewis, Dennis and Pope have been with the program since its inception.

“They all did a good job of providing leadership and keeping our younger girls pointed in the right direction,” Landress said. “To make the Final Four twice in four years as a program says a great deal since we don’t have a club program for the players to compete in.”

The coach said he hopes to continue building the middle school team to use as a feeder system.

“I believe before all of these current players graduate, we have a great chance to win a state championship,” Landress said.
NOTES: The Piedmont Academy Lady Cougars were recognized last Friday for their standout season.

Award winners included:
• Audrey Cleary, Best Defensive Award; •Jordan Blackmon, Best Offensive Award; •Heather Tyler, Coaches Award; •Katie Odegaard, Scholar Athlete; •Mary Ashlynn Dennis, MVP •All-Region: Blackmon, Tyler, Lanie King, Dennis, Cleary, and Jordana Pope.