The LaGrange College men's soccer team saved its best for last, as the Panthers ended the 2021 season with a thrilling 3-2 USA South win over Piedmont Friday on Panther Field.

Sophomore Enrique Hernandez tallied his first collegiate hat trick for the Panthers (2-4, 2-4 USA South). Freshman defender Nicholas Smiech recorded his first collegiate assist. Senior Cam Perkins, sophomore Blake Webb and sophomore Jaydon Parrish each finished with an assist. Sophomore goalkeeper Lucas Wright earned his second win of the season.

"It was a great way to end the spring season," said LaGrange College men's soccer head coach Ryan Dickson. "We have been working on a new style of play and today we put a lot of the pieces together. I am very proud of all the work the guys put in. I want to thank our four graduating players in Cam Perkins, Andrew Valbuena, Michael Deese and Ryan Mabee."

The Panthers have won back-to-back games against the Lions (6-5, 4-2 USA South). During the 2019 season, Webb struck twice during a 2-1 comeback win in overtime, as LaGrange defeated Piedmont on the road for the first time in program history.

LC generated some high-quality opportunities in the first half against the Lions Friday but were unable to solve Piedmont goalkeeper Cameron Verona. During the 21st minute, Webb's free kick went just wide of the left post. With 16:06 remaining, Parrish sent a cross into the 18-yard box. Hernandez won the ball, but his header shot was corralled by Verona.

LaGrange kept applying pressure in the final moments of the first half. Valbuena ripped a shot off a throw-in by junior Dawson Davis during the 40th minute. The attempt was heading top shelf, but Verona was able to make a leaping save. Webb's shot from inside the box with 3:01 left gave Verona trouble, but he was able to stop the attempt.

Hernandez put LaGrange on the board in the 55th minute. He created space on the right edge of the box and slid a shot into the bottom left corner. The play was orchestrated by an outstanding long ball from the other side of the field by Smiech.

Wright answered the bell 1:04 later, as he made a diving stop on a free kick by Matthew Loftin. Sophomore Alex Drazic and Davis disrupted Piedmont rushes in the final 45 minutes with effective sliding tackles.

During the 63rd minute, Parrish played an outstanding ball on the ground into the center of the box. Hernandez was able to get a foot on the pass and one-timed it into the back of the net from point-blank range, giving LaGrange a 2-0 lead.

Cameron Earls cut the Panthers' advantage to 2-1 with 21:34 showing on a penalty-kick goal. With 12 minutes remaining, the hosts regained a two-goal cushion. Perkins started the play with a throw-in to Webb. Hernandez received a pass from Webb on the right edge of the box and completed the hat trick with a shot into the bottom left corner.

During the 80th minute, Piedmont trimmed the deficit down to 3-2 on another penalty-kick goal by Earls. The Panthers closed out the game with smart and aggressive defense, not allowing the Lions to get comfortable on the offensive side of the field over the final 10 minutes.

LaGrange held a 36-14 advantage in shots and a 19-5 lead in shots on goal. The Panthers led the corner-kicks category, 9-1. Hernandez led the way with game-highs of 11 shots and eight on net, while Webb put 4-of-8 shots on target.

Hernandez (5 goals, 2 assists), Webb (4 goals, 2 assists) and Perkins (2 goals, 2 assists) led the way on offense this season. During a 5-1 win over Berea on Feb. 28, sophomore Austin Anderson and freshman Satchel Hart tallied their first goal and assist, respectively, in a Panther uniform.

Assistant Sports Information Director Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lagrange.edu.

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