Demorest, Ga. - The 2014 USA South Women's Soccer Tournament got underway on Saturday, with 7th-seeded N.C. Wesleyan stunning 2nd-seeded Piedmont in first round action. After fighting to a scoreless draw through 110 minutes of play, the Bishops advanced in PKs thanks to a 3-1 shootout win. Freshman keeper Sarah Hovis made three saves in the shootout, while Cissi Edehult, Hannah Tolson and Nicole Liette each converted their attempts to send Wesleyan to semifinal play in Martinsville.

Wesleyan held a 10-9 advantage in shots during regulation and overtime, which included a 6-4 edge in shots-on-goal. Hovis and PC keeper Michaela Gardner combined to save all ten shots to set up PKs.

Piedmont's Megan Hatfield went first in the shootout and was promptly turned away by a Hovis save. Edehult proceeded to give NCWC a 1-0 lead, and Tolson made it 2-0 after Hovis saved another Lion attempt in the second round. PC's Morgan Edelman converted her team's third attempt, which was matched by Liette. Needing a successful PK to continue, the Lion's fourth attempt by Savannah Castles saw Hovis make her third save of the shootout, igniting a Bishop celebration.

Officially, the match is recorded as a tie and gives NCWC a 10-5-3 overall record. The Bishop women will now make their first-ever trip to Martinsville, Va. for semifinal play, where they will take on 3rd-seeded Methodist University at 7:30pm next Friday. The Monarchs downed NCWC 2-1 in overtime during the regular season.

For more information on the tournament, please visit http://www.usasouth.net/championships/wsoc/index.