LAKEWOOD, N.J. (Oct. 15, 2022) - Georgian Court Men's Soccer gave themselves a big boost as they head towards postseason play, looking to secure a spot in the CACC Tournament. Going up against one of the leaders in the conference Bridgeport, Georgian Court held the Purple Knights to just one goal, and scored two themselves for a thrilling 2-1 win and an important three points. 

How it Happened
• It was a tale of two halves. Georgian Court controlled play for much of the first half taking 10 shots to Bridgeport's eight. The Purple Knights turned up the pressure in half number two, outshooting the Lions 14-2 and 22-12 for the game. 
• Bridgeport also held an advantage on corner kicks, 11-3, seven of them coming in the latter 45 minutes.
• Both teams were called for plenty of fouls, 18 on GCU and 16 for Bridgeport. The Purple Knights were also issued five yellow cards and one red while the Lions were booked twice on yellow cards and four red cards. 
• Bridgeport tried to score early and pushed five shots towards the goal in the first six minutes along with three corner kicks. GCU withstood the early onslaught and started to create their own opportunities.
• A Lion corner kick led to three shots, two of which were blocked and one was saved by Bridgeport keeper Clement Anet to keep the game scoreless after 15 minutes. 
• Thirty minutes into the match and most of the play was in the Lions offensive zone. Just after the 30 minute mark, a Francisco Corrall header was saved and went to Joseph Ficarotta. His shot attempt from close range sailed high.
• Six minutes later, Georgian Court finally broke through. Mikey Mallon's long pass up the middle of the field was misplayed by a Bridgeport defender right to Corral who was one-on-one with the keeper. Corral shot right off his left foot and went past the keeper, off the post and in for the game's first goal.
• There were no more shots taken in the rest of the half and GCU led 1-0 after 45 minutes.
• The intensity was ratcheted up from kickoff in the second half. Less than seven minutes in, each team was issued a a yellow card and a red card and another two yellow's for each side came five minutes after that.
• The Lion defense was doing a good job at the start of not allowing any scoring opportunities, but all it took was one for Bridgeport to even things up. Henry Greiner took a free kick from outside 18, hit it just out of the reach of Sotirios Gkosdis and tucked inside the post to tie the match at one.
• Ten minute later, with 15 minutes left to play, a Bridgeport failed clear attempt found Mallon's feet. He hit the extra pass to Jay Abraham who buried it from 25 yards out giving GCU the lead back.
• Following the goal, it was the Gkosdis show. He made five saves in the final 15 minutes, all of them on high scoring chances. Bridgeport had one final opportunity, a corner kick with under 20 seconds to play. The Purple Knights got a head on it and sent it towards the net, but there was Gkosdis again to keep it out and preserve the win.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Sotirios Gkosdis finished with eight saves.
• Mikey Mallon picked up an assist on both goals.
• Francisco Corral had a match-high six shots and scored.
• Jay Abraham had the game-winning goal. 

For the Purple Knights
• Henry Greiner scored on a free kick and led the team with four total shots.
• Jose Uresti had three shots, two on goal.
• Clement Anet made three saves in net. 

News and Notes
• The Lions have allowed just two goals in the last 270 minutes.
• This is the Lions first conference win over a team with a winning record this season.
• Jay Abraham played in his 50th game and scored his third career goal and third of the season.
• Francisco Corral's goal gives him nine in his career and ties him for 10th in GCU history. He's also now seventh in points in 28. 
• With 70 saves this season, Sotirios Gkosdis has the third most at GCU in a single season. 

Up Next
• The Lions look to stay hot as they go on the road to take on Dominican Friday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.