Piedmont Soccer to Begin Friday

The Piedmont Academy soccer teams return to the field Friday as they usher in the 2012 season.

The Lady Cougars are coming off a Final Four appearance last spring and coach Dwain Landress said a solid nucleus from that squad returns.

“We lost three seniors, but we should still have a deep team,” Landress said. “We have eight of our 11 starters returning. Our expectations are just as high this season as they were last year. We want to make the state championship game.”

Jordan Blackmon, Heather Tyler, Kacy Swart, Audrey Cleary, Lucy Strickland, Beth Anne Mahaffey, Carley Cain and Hailey Burnham all return to help lead the Lady Cougars.

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“We have several players come off the bench last season and contribute,” Landress said. “Most everyone on the team saw playing time.”

With 18 players on the roster, Landress said he believes the team can make another run in the postseason. Landress was able to work with his complete squad for the first time last week following the completion of basketball season.

The Piedmont girls will travel to Lafayette Christian in LaGrange Friday for a 4 p.m. match.

The Piedmont boys finished in a three-way tie for the region championship last season and entered the postseason as a No. 2 seed following tiebreaker scenarios.

“Right now our challenge is to find a goal keeper,” Landress said.

Several front line players return including Davis Kimball, a four-year starter along with Jeremy Wood, Bobby Mitchell and Samuel McGinnis, who will all be in their third year in the starting lineup.

Sophomores Austin Bass and Malik Reid are two-year starters as is Hank Strickland, who was in the lineup as a sub-freshman in 2011.

Junior Nick Dimsdale joins the team this season, as did fellow junior Hunter Clark. Landress said the two’s athletic ability should benefit the program.

“I feel comfortable putting any of our players in,” Landress said. “I believe this should be one of our strongest seasons since 2009.

The Piedmont boys will face Lafeyette Christian Friday at 5:45 on the road.

Following the season opener, Piedmont will host Heart of Georgia Monday beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Brentwood on Tuesday beginning at 6 p.m.

The Piedmont Academy Middle School girls soccer team opens their season March 12 against Strong Rock in Locus Grove at 6 p.m.