JACKSON, Miss. - LaGrange and Belhaven played to a 2-2 tie in a Collegiate Conference of the South battle Saturday night. It was an historic night for the Panthers who are now 9-4-2 overall and finished their conference schedule 4-0-2.
LC clinched the CCS regular season championship, the first title in the program's history. The Panthers earned a bye into the semifinals of the conference tournament. They will host the No. 4-No. 5 seed winner on Saturday, Oct. 29 at a time to be announced.
"We battled well throughout the game and took an early lead," said Coach Ryan Dickson. "We showed great character after conceding two goals to keep creating chances and finally got the equalizer. We would have of liked to have gone on and win the game, but a draw was enough to clinch the top seed and win the regular season.
"I'm very proud of the whole squad as they all contributed throughout the season. We now look forward to continuing our good form into the playoffs."
The Panthers opened the scoring on William Perry's goal less than four minutes into the game. It was his fourth goal of the season as Enrique Hernandez got his team-leading seventh assist of the season.
The Blazers (5-5-5, 1-2-2 CCS) took a 2-1 lead on a pair of goals by Jacob Requilman. Requilman's second goal came four minutes into the second half.
The Panthers got the equalizer in the 55th minute. Hernandez got his Division III leading 18th goal off an assist from Blake Webb. The goal enabled the senior to set a new school career record for points with 91.
The Panthers close out the regular season at Warren Wilson on Sunday, Oct. 23.
