LAKEWOOD, NJ (Oct. 14, 2023) - Georgian Court Women's Soccer picked up a late goal to rally from an early 1-0 deficit and draw even with Caldwell. The draw is already the Lions sixth this season and moves them to 3-4-6 overall and 2-0-5 in the CACC.

How it Happened
• The entire game was played in a light rain with brief periods of heavier downpour. GCU still played on the grass field as the conditions didn't muddy up the pitch.
• Possession was even at 50% for each team to show how competitive the match was.
• The Lions spent more time in the offensive zone, but it was the Cougars who fired more shots, 11-6. 
• Shots on net though were close and few and far between as the Cougars held a slight 4-3 edge. 
• The Cougars doubled up the Lions in fouls 6-3, but neither team was issued a card.
• Early on, possession favored the Cougars and they made the Lions pay in just the eighth minute. Caldwell earned a corner kick and Rosio Cardenas elevated high enough to get a head on Melissa Martinez's kick and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
• Caldwell continued to pour on the pressure early as the Lions were limited to just one shot in the half.
• The Georgian Court defense was up to the task though. Carley Polchak made a save and after 45 minutes, Caldwell led 1-0.
• The second half it was the Lions who came out hot. They took five of their six shots and forced Caldwell goalkeeper Ariana Gaminara to make a pair of saves.
• Georgian Court kept creating opportunities, but were unable to find the equalizer.
• With less than 12 minutes to play, GCU finally broke through. Jessica Ford found Aliya Canfield in the middle of the field were she got off a rocket from the top of the box. Gaminara was able to get a hand the ball, but not enough to stop it and the Lions tied the game at one.
• Caldwell had a chance with five minutes to got. They had one shot saved by Polchak and another blocked and tossed aside.
• The Lions best chance late came on a free kick that found Sophia Ridolfo. She got a shot off, but that too was blocked and the clocked hit zeroes on a 1-1 draw.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Aliya Canfield scored the Lions goal on two shots.
• Jessica Ford and Sophia Ridolfo each had an assist on the goal.
• Carley Polchak made three saves in net.
• Breana Parkinson had a shot attempt on goal.

For the Cougars
• Rosio Cardenas had a goal on three shots.
• Sarah Costanza took a game-high four shots.
• Melissa Martinez had an assist and two shots.
• Ariana Gaminara made two saves.

News and Notes
• Aliya Canfield's goal puts her in the Lions all-time top-10 with 48 points. It's her 21st career goal.
• Jessica Ford takes over the team lead with three assists.
• The Lions have not lost to Caldwell in each of their last four games. This is the first where GCU has surrendered a goal in that stretch.
• Sophia Ridolfo has points in three consecutive games.
• Carley Polchak made her 50th career save.
• Emily Clayton and Jessica Ford each played in their 50th career game. Breana Parkinson played in her 40th and Izzy Hernandez her 30th.
• GCU has now played to a draw in 13 of 31 games since 2022 when the NCAA eliminated overtime in the regular season.
• Prior to the game, GCU celebrated their seven seniors with a special senior day celebration recognizing Carley Polchack, Bridgette King, Emily Clayton, Kayla Newman, Leticia Da Silva, Gabriella Paccione and Aliya Canfield.

Up Next
• Georgian Court will finally play Felician Tuesday, Oct. 17. That game is a make up from September that got washed out due to Hurricane Ophelia. Kick off is set for 12 p.m.