BLOOMFIELD, NJ (Oct. 7, 2023) - Things were looking good for a while for Georgian Court Women's Soccer, but got dicey at the end. The Lions broke out for a 3-0 lead and survived giving up two goals in five minutes for a 3-2 win at Bloomfield. The win keeps the Lions unbeaten in the CACC at 2-0-3 and they're now 3-4-4 on the year. 

How it Happened
• Possession strongly favored the Lions who led in shots 25-6 and shots on goal 15-3. Those numbers got closer in the second half though as Bloomfield picked up five of their six shots in the final 45.
• Along with the increased possession time, GCU led in corner kicks 8-3 earning four in each half.
• Fouls were kept to a minimum as expected with two of the cleaner teams in the CACC. Georgian Court was called for six fouls and one yellow card. Bloomfield was issued two yellows and whistled for five fouls.
• The Lions came out of the gates hot forcing Mia Phillip to make a save just three minutes into the game. 
• Georgian Court kept the pressure on with a corner kick and three more shots in the first 20 minutes. The Lions hurt themselves a bit though with a pair of offsides calls.
• Bloomfield was struck with a bit of bad luck as 15 minutes into the match they lost their keeper to injury.
• Georgian Court was able to take advantage seven minutes later and get on the board. A free kick fell between everyone as noone challenged for the ball at midfield. It started rolling towards the Bloomfield goal and Abby Kennelly won the footrace to the ball. She deeked left and shot right past the backup goalkeeper for a 1-0 lead. 
• That wasn't the end of the bad luck for Bloomfield goalkeepers. At the 25 minute mark, they needed to make another switch due to injury. Valentina Beltran was the new goalkeeper and she immediately made a pair of saves on Kennelly and Juliana Rettino.
• Sophia Ridolfo nearly made it a 2-0 game at the 36 minute mark but it hit the post and stayed out. She was determined to get that goal though and five minutes later, as the rain started falling, Aliya Canfield played a ball into the box and Ridolfo made a bee-line for the net where she chipped it in for a 2-0 lead.
• That's how the half ended with the Lions up 2-0.
• GCU scored with about three minutes left in the first half and then again roughly three minutes into half number two. It was Kennelly again who intercepted a pass inside the box. With noone around her she had time to settle the ball, play it to her right foot and buried it for a 3-0 lead.
• Bloomfield started to build momentum after that though. With 35 minutes to play the Bears took a corner kick. The ball bounced around and Valentina Beltran, who ended the first half in goal for the Bears, scored to make it 3-1.
• Just five minutes later, Bloomfield made it a one-goal game and again following a corner kick. The ball came out high towards the top of the box and was headed in where Emma Bennett made the initial save. She was unable to control it though and the ball dangerously bounced around in front of the net where Marcela Banuelos was able to muscle it over the line cutting the Lion lead to 3-2.
• Following the Bears goal, Georgian Court settled down and went back to controlling possession. They had nine of the final 10 shots and even though they weren't able to score another goal, Bloomfield was kept off the board as well and the Lions held on for a 3-2 win.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Abby Kennelly scored twice for GCU and took six shots.
• Sophia Ridolfo had a three-point day with a goal and an assist.
• Aliya Canfield picked up an assist on the Ridolfo goal.
• Carley Polchak started in net and shut the Bears out for the first 45 minutes. Emma Bennett finished the game in goal.

For the Bears
• Valentina Beltran scored on two shots.
• Marcela Banuelos also added a goal.
• Brittany Liss ended up playing the most minutes in net and made six saves without allowing a goal.

News and Notes
• In a wild turn of events, the two teams combined to play six goalkeepers.
• Aliya Canfield scored her 45th career point.
• Abby Kennelly's two goals give her a team-high four this season, that's a new single-season high as are her nine points.
• Kennelly is the first Lion to score two goals in a game since Abby Kennelly. She was the last Lion to score twice doing so last year against Bridgeport. 
• The win keeps GCU unbeaten against Bloomfield. They are now 30-0-1 since 1993.

Up Next
• Georgian Court is back home for a mid-week CACC match against Jefferson. Game time is set for 3 p.m.