Demorest, GA. - The Berry Men's Lacrosse team won a hard fought back and forth battle against in-state rivals, Piedmont College on Wednesday night. 

The Vikings jumped out to an early lead on a pair of goals by Nick English and Noah Miller.  Piedmont quickly answered with a goal before Colson Burgoyne scored on an assisted goal by Freshmen Connor Ryan to gain the largest lead of the game until the closing minutes. 

The Vikings scored another goal by Tyler Banfield to take a 4-2 lead. That goal would be the last time the Vikings scored for over 20 minutes. Piedmont College held a 6-4 advantage in the third quarter before the Vikings clawed their way back into the game on a pair of goals to tie the game. 

Each team would trade goals for the remainder of the game until Gridley Wright went coast to coast on a scoring a man-down goal in what proved to be the deciding moment of the game. Berry scored again thirty seconds later on an unassisted goal to secure the win and the largest lead of the day, 12-9, and ran out the clock after winning the ensuing face-off. 

Dave Gottesman earned the win for the Vikings with a career high 18 saves. Additionally, Berry dominated the face-offs winning 16 of the 22 taken, while the defense remained perfect in their man-down penalty kill. 

Berry Men's Lacrosse continues their Peach State competition on Friday March 5th when they host LaGrange at 7:00 in their home opener.