DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University women's lacrosse rallied from an eight-goal deficit to force overtime, but Piedmont College edged the Cougars 14-13 in USA South Conference action Saturday afternoon on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
 
Piedmont (3-0, 2-0 USA South) got the game-winning goal 48 seconds into overtime on a free position shot from Rowan Bumpass.
 
Averett (1-3, 1-2 USA South) trailed Piedmont 11-3 with 16 minutes to play in the second half before the Cougars made their thrilling comeback. After trading goals, Averett tallied six consecutive goals — including two each by freshmen Shayla Johnson and Xasia Lewis — to get within 12-10 with 6:34 to play.
The Lions pushed their lead back to 13-10 at the 4:17 mark, but Averett answered with three consecutive goals over the next two and a half minutes, including two by Lewis.

Freshman Elizabeth Peasley tied the game at 13-13 with her goal at the 1:55 mark. Both teams had shots on goal in the final minute to try to win it in regulation, however, each goalkeeper made crucial saves to force overtime.
 
Piedmont jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first 12 minutes as Cassidy Heflin netted a pair of goals with one assist. Averett broke through with freshman Rachel Hale's second goal of the season off a pass from freshman Elizabeth Peasley at the 15:05 mark. After the Lions extended their lead to 6-1, senior Alixis Roccia scored with 5:17 play in the first half to pull Averett within 6-2 by halftime.

Piedmont continued to find the back of the net early in the second half, building an eight-goal lead before Averett's rally.

Lewis led Averett with four goals and one assist, while Johnson had a hat trick. Peasley and Roccia added a pair of goals, and Hale and sophomore Abby Taylor each finished with one goal.

Averett continues its homestand on Wednesday when the Cougars face conference foe Greensboro College at 7 p.m.