DEMOREST, Ga. -- The Covenant men's soccer team saw its 20-match win streak in the USA South regular season come to an end with a 3-2 loss at Piedmont on Saturday afternoon.

The loss is Covenant's first inside the USA South during regular season play since Oct. 5, 2018 and was the longest active streak in the conference. Covenant drops to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while Piedmont is now 4-3 and 2-1.

Three second half goals gave Piedmont a 3-0 lead and Covenant's late comeback wasn't enough in the loss. Piedmont took a 1-0 lead in the 46th minute on a Ricardo Ruiz goal as he put in his own deflected shot. Cameron Earls scored twice, once in the 51st minute and another in the 58th minute, to give the host Lions a 3-0 lead.

Covenant worked its way back into the match. Griffin Felton converted on a penalty kick in the 64th minute for his first goal of the season to make it 3-1.

In the 90th minute, Aaron Riggs headed in a goal off a free-kick to get the Scots within 3-2. The score was Riggs' first of the season.

Covenant would not be able to put together one more attack in the final 44 seconds.

Despite the score, Covenant dominated the stat sheet as the Scots outshot the Lions 25-12 and 10-5 in shots on goal. Piedmont keeper Cameron Verona made seven saves in 90 minutes played, while Covenant's Henry Hooks collected two saves.

Mercer Stout had three attempts in the first half and Robert Pettit's attempt in the 45th minute was cleared off the line by the Piedmont defense. Stout had a good look in the 64th minute, but the ball went off the crossbar. 

Stout led all players with seven shots, while Austin Berry had five for the Scots.

UP NEXT

Covenant hosts Huntingdon on Saturday, March 6 on Lookout Mountain. Kick-off is set for 4 p.m.

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