GCU Athletics

LAKEWOOD, NJ (Oct. 10, 2023) - Despite numerous opportunities for both teams, for 85 minutes Georgian Court and Jefferson were scoreless and it looked like the match was headed towards a 0-0 draw. That all changed in a flash though when the Lions were awarded a penalty kick. Mathias Madersbacher nailed the PK and the Lions held on for their second consecutive shutout, 1-0 over Jefferson. The Lions have won back-to-back CACC games and are 4-5-2 overall and 3-2-1 in the CACC.

How it Happened
• As one would expect in a 0-0 game for 85 minutes, much of the match was evenly contested.
• Possession slightly favored Jefferson 54%-46%, but the Lions spent more of their possession in the offensive end of the field. 
• Georgian Court had one more shot, 16-15, and one more on goal, 6-5.
• The Rams also took one more corner kick, 4-3.
• Both teams were issued two yellow cards. GCU was called for 13 fouls and the Rams 10. 
• The first 10 minutes of the match were spent with both teams feeling each other out. The first shot didn't come until the 12th minute when Maurice Engl's attempt was blocked.
• Georgian Court had the best opportunity of the first half in the 18th minute. Cherif Tammar's shot was saved by Jefferson keeper Matteo Crescente. The Rams couldn't get it out and that gave GCU another attempt. Mathias Madersbacher took a cross and beat the keeper, but it hit off the bottom of the crossbar and played straight down allowing Jefferson to clear it out of the box.
• That was the best opportunity for either team of the half. The Lions doubled up Jefferson in shots in the first 45 minutes, 10-5.
• The Rams started playing with more urgency in the second half. They had consecutive shots in the 57th minute that Fabio Krissler needed to make stops on.
• Jefferson was playing more in the Lions zone and creating chances, but the Lions defense was able to stop any high-percentage scoring opportunities.
• Both teams were itching for a goal as the clocked ticked under 10 minutes remaining. Each team picked up two yellow cards in a 5:28 second span. 
• With five minutes remaining, the Lions played the ball ahead to Jack Pollentine-Smith who was tackled inside the box and GCU was awarded a penalty kick.
• Mathias Madersbacher stepped to the line and drilled the kick right past Crescente who dove left for the game's first goal with 5:07 left to play.
• Georgian Court did their best to possess the ball and let the clock wind down, but Jefferson had a chance to tie with under a minute to play. Miguel Fonseca found the ball at his feet in scrum inside the box, but Krissler was able to get enough on it to redirect it harmlessly away from the net. The Lions cleared it down the field and the game was over.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Mathias Madersbacher had the only goal of the game. He took six shots, two on net.
• Fabio Krissler stopped all five shots on goal. 
• Cherif Tammar attempted three shots with one on net.

For the Rams
• Mateo Crescente made five saves and allowed a PK goal.
• Miguel Fonseca came off the bench to take six shots, getting four on goal.

News and Notes
• The all-time series is now tied 6-6.
• No team has won consecutive games in each of the last five matches.
• The Lions are 4-4 on penalty kicks this season and Madersbacher is 2-2. A year ago, GCU was just 0-1 on PK's. 
• Madersbacher is now upt to 33 career points which puts him fourth all-time and his 12 goals are tied for fifth most. 
• Sam Thombs played in his 50th career game.
• Maurice Engl reached 1500 minutes played and Oscar Jannesson 2500. 
• The last time GCU won back-to-back games was when they won six straight, Sept. 29-Oct. 16, 2021.
• This is the first time GCU has won with back-to-back shutouts since defeating Southern New Hampshire and Salem Sept. 4 and 11, 2021. Gianluca Cersosimo was in net for those two shutout wins.
• The last time GCU shutout two conference teams in consecutive games was Oct. 19 and Oct. 25, 2016. Sebastian Mikuska was the goaltender on those days. 
• Jefferson has now surrendered a penalty kick goal in half of their 10 games this season.

Up Next
• Homecoming! The Lions will host Caldwell Saturday, Oct. 14 as part of a tripleheader with GCU Volleyball and Women's Soccer. All festivities get started at 10 with the volleyball match. The Homecoming carnival runs 12-4 with Men's Soccer kicking off at 3:00.