LAKEWOOD, NJ (Oct. 11, 2023) - Georgian Court squared off with CACC leaders Jefferson, who entered 4-0 in league play and took it to the first-place Rams. In a defensive battle, each team tallied a goal but no more and after 90 minutes, the Lions came out with a draw and a point towards their conference standings. That gives the Lions 10 points in the CACC and moves them to 2-0-4, unbeaten through more than half of the conference regular season.

How it Happened
• Jefferson held possession for 61% of the match and led in total shots 21-8.
• They also put more on target, 10-2, however the Lion defense didn't allow many dangerous scoring opportunities.
• The Rams possession also gave them more set-pieces with five corner kicks to the Lions two.
• There were a total of five yellow cards issued, three on GCU and two from the Rams. Fouls were nearly even as Jefferson was called for 12 and Lions 11.
• The teams were tearing up the middle of the field in the beginning of the game, with neither team building much of an offensive presence. Jefferson had a pair of shots in the first five minutes, but neither hit the net.
• The Rams were up 7-0 in shots before the Lions were able to get their first one off. Abby Kennelly got a hold of one but missed high.
• The best opportunity for either team in the half came in the 25th minute. Kiery Spatz' shot was up high and ticketed for the back of the net, but Carley Polchak was able to get just enough of a hand on it to lift it over the crossbar. 
• Late in the half, Jefferson's corner kick attempt was headed towards the net by Nadia Pickering. It sailed over though keeping the game scoreless after 45 minutes.
• It took just two minutes into the second for the Lions to break the scoreless tie. Sophia Ridolfo took Aliya Canfield's pass and broke towards the net where she shot across her body into the lower right side of the net for her second goal in as many games and a 1-0 Lion lead.
• Jefferson tied the game less than 10 minutes later. A broken play saw Anna Midock connect with Devin Sullivan who was one-on-one with GCU goalkeeper Carley Polchak. She shot low and tucked it inside the right post for the equalizer.
• High scoring chances were few and far between after that. Both defenses played well to ensure noone got behind them. 
• With 20 minutes to go, Polchak had to make a pair of nice saves. Kyra Lesko had the ball in a scrum and put it on net where Polchak tracked it well and made a diving stop.
• Emily Clayton nearly took the lead with a free kick in the 73rd minute from 25 yards out. Her shot missed just a bit high and wide.
• There were no more shots on net and after 90 minutes the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Sophia Ridolfo scored for GCU on two shot attempts.
• Abby Kennelly and Emily Clayton each took two shots as well.
• Aliya Canfield had the assist on Ridolfo's goal.
• Carly Polchak made nine saves.

For the Rams
• Devin Sullivan took three shots and scored.
• Anna Midock chipped in an assist.
• Mia Ferrara, Evelin Ventura-Garcia and Gianna Garozzo each had two shots on goal
• Liv Riddel allowed a goal and made a save.

News and Notes
• Jefferson was 4-0 in the CACC entering the match. It was the first goal they allowed during conference play and the first time they trailed in over a month.
• The draw snaps a four-game Jefferson winning streak against the Lions. GCU is now 8-17-5 all-time against the Rams.
• Aliya Canfield is inching closer to the GCU all-time top-10 in points. She is two points away after her assist.
• Carley Polchak recorded her 40th career save. Her nine saves are a new career-best and the most by a Lion this season.
• Sophia Ridolfo recorded her 10th career point.

Up Next
• Georgian Court remains home Saturday. It's a big afternoon for the Lions as they celebrate Homecoming and Senior Day. The Lions host the Caldwell Cougars with kick off at 12 p.m.