LAKEWOOD, NJ (Nov. 11, 2023) - Heading into the final CACC regular season game, Georgian Court Men's Soccer knew what was in front of them. One point (or more) gets them into the CACC Tournament, a loss keeps them out. Knowing the directive, the Lions set out against a Chestnut Hill team that needed to win and get in. With the match essentially being a playoff game for both teams, the teams were both fairly cautious and scoring chances were low in what ultimately was a 0-0 draw. That was enough for the Lions though who earned their 15 point in CACC play and with a 4-4-3 conference record, earned the number seven seed.

How it Happened
• One of the biggest stories going into the game was who be between the pipes for Chestnut Hill. Their starting goaltender was served two yellow cards in their last game and was forced to sit this one out. Without another goaltender on the roster, Chestnut Hill turned to senior midfielder Diego Cabrera. 
• Possession numbers were near even with GCU holding a slight 51%-49% advantage. GCU also spent more time in the offensive zone as 75% of their possession was in plus-territory. Chestnut Hill spent just 62% of their time on offense in GCU's half of the field.
• The Lions also led in shots, 16-9, but it was Chestnut Hill who put four on-target to the Lions three. GCU did hit the crossbar twice and had a number of shots blocked.
• The match featured a total of 38 fouls, 22 going against Georgian Court and 16 against the Griffins. CHC was carded four times though to the Lions one yellow.
• Chestnut Hill was in a precarious position needing to win, but also playing without a true goaltender. Most of their shots taken were from outside the box that presented to danger to Lions goalkeeper Fabio Krissler.
• Georgian Court nearly got a goal in the first 10 minutes. A foul gave GCU a free kick from 30 yards out. Sebastian Derflinger stepped up to take it and beat the keeper, but rang it off the crossbar. 
• Georgian Court had another good opportunity in the 18th minute. Mathias Madersbacher sprung Joseph Ficarotta who ripped a shot from the top of the box on his first touch, but Cabrera was there to make his best save of the game. 
• Those were the best opportunities of the half for either team. GCU led 7-4 in shots during the half, with Derflinger and Ficarotta nearly putting the Lions in front.
• Midway through the second, the Lions again were inches away from taking the lead. Sam Thombs found Cherif Tammar inside the box. He took a step to his left, spun, fired and he too beat Cabrera, but like Derflinger, the ball hit the crossbar and stayed out. Ryan Lee took the rebound shot, but that was blocked and the Griffins kept the game at 0-0.
• Towards the end of the game, the Lions defense really took over. The didn't allow a shot in the final 30 minutes and nothing tested Krissler the entire second half.
• GCU had a couple of opportunities in the final 10 minutes, but those were brushed aside and the clock ticked down in 0-0 draw.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Fabio Krissler earned the shutout tie making four saves.
• Cherif Tammar led GCU with five shots.
• Joseph Ficarotta, Mathias Madersbacher and Oscar Jannesson each tallied two shots.

For the Griffins
• Diego Cabrera also kept a clean sheet making three saves. 
• Abdoulaye Kamagate led the match with two shots on goal.

News and Notes
• The draw puts the Lions back in the CACC Tournament for the first time since 2021.
• Fabio Krissler pitched his third shutout of the season, all coming in the last seven games. He moved to seventh all-time at GCU in saves as well. 
• Joseph Ficarotta played his 40th career game and Robert Tapp appeared in number 25.
• Draws are nothing new to Georgian Court and Chestnut Hill. They've now played to a draw in four of their 10 all-time matches. The first three were all double-overtime draws.
• The four draws this season are the most for the Lions in a single-season in program history. They had three each in 2021 and 2022.

Up Next
• The regular season isn't finished yet for the Lions. They'll host Bloomsburg in their final game of the season Friday, Nov. 3 at 3:30 p.m.