SWANNANOA, N.C. — Piper Gross scored her first goal of the season to bring Warren Wilson College within one late in the second half, but Piedmont added an insurance goal to secure a 3-1 victory Wednesday at Hank Steinbrecher Field.
The Owls moved to 2-6-1 overall, while the Lions improved to 4-3-2.
Trailing 2-0, Warren Wilson cut the deficit in half at 78:39 when Gross scored off an assist from Carolina Alcala-Ruiz. The goal kept the Owls within striking distance until Piedmont's Katelyn Brown scored at 87:02 to establish the final margin.
Piedmont opened the scoring just 1:53 into the match when Gracie Phillips finished off an assist from Brown. Warren Wilson goalkeeper Nassi Robinson made two first-half saves, stopping shots by Adriana Blumer and Madison Johnson, to help keep the deficit at 1-0 heading into halftime.
The Owls held Piedmont scoreless for more than 70 minutes following the opening goal. Robinson added a save on a Genesis Gamez shot at 60:48 before Jordyn Harris extended the Lions' lead at 72:32, assisted by Megan Holcombe.
Robinson denied Holcombe at 73:47, and Gross answered less than five minutes later to make it a 2-1 match.
Robinson finished with four saves in 90 minutes. Gross and Alcala-Ruiz each recorded a shot for Warren Wilson.
