DEMOREST, Ga. (Oct. 1, 2026) – Eric Villeda scored twice in a span of less than 10 minutes in the second half as Warren Wilson College rallied to within a goal before host Piedmont University pulled away for a 5-2 victory in men's soccer action Thursday evening at the Walker Athletic Complex.
The loss drops the Owls to 1-6-1 on the season, while Piedmont improves to 2-7-1. Piedmont held a 20-12 advantage in shots, including a 7-5 edge in shots on goal. The two teams each earned three corner kicks. Villeda paced the Owls' offensive attack with a match-high seven shots, including four on goal, while recording his third and fourth goals of the season. Chinyama added an assist and a shot on goal, while Steve Moodie registered two shots. Connor Makinlay-Barish played 83:38 in goal for Warren Wilson, recording two saves before Connor Hefner finished the final 6:22.
Piedmont struck first in the eighth minute when Davis Knight scored off an assist from Mason Keith. Keith picked up his second assist of the contest in the 22nd minute, setting up Noah Goodman for his fourth goal of the season and giving the Lions a 2-0 halftime advantage.
Knight extended Piedmont's lead to 3-0 in the 60th minute, converting a penalty kick for his second goal of the evening.
Warren Wilson responded just over two minutes later when Hullibutton Chinyama connected with Villeda for his third goal of the season at the 61:45 mark. The Owls continued to apply pressure, and Villeda struck again in the 72nd minute, scoring an unassisted goal to trim the deficit to 3-2.
With the momentum shifting, Warren Wilson created additional scoring opportunities. Chinyama put a shot on frame in the 77th minute, while Villeda forced Piedmont goalkeeper Andrew Nowak into another save in the 80th minute.
However, the Lions answered in the 81st minute when Daris Mustic scored off an assist from Ian Rodriguez to restore a two-goal advantage.
Warren Wilson was reduced to 10 players following a red card issued to the Owls keeper Makinlay-Barish in the 84th minute. Mustic added his second goal of the match in the 86th minute, assisted by Donovan Razo Becker, to account for the final margin.
