LAKEWOOD, NJ (Nov. 3, 2023) - After an eventful 6 days that saw Georgian Court Men's Soccer score a final-minute game winner and then clinch a berth in the CACC postseason, the Lions closed out the regular season with a nonconference match against Bloomsburg. With the game being out of conference, the Lions were able to rest some players as they geared up for the postseason run, but also go up against a quality opponent as Bloomsburg is regionally ranked in the latest NCAA poll. The Huskies scored a goal in each half and defeated the Lions 2-0 to close the regular season. GCU heads into the CACC Tournament with a record of 5-8-4 overall and 4-4-3 in the CACC.

How it Happened
• Bloomsburg needed a win to help themselves in the regional rankings. They were the more aggressive team on offense and controlled the ball for 54% of the match.
• The Huskies had a big advantage in total shots, 20-3 and shots on goal, 7-2.
• Fouls were kept to a minimum with both teams getting whistled for fewer than 10 and just one yellow card in the match.
• Set pieces were even as well as Bloomsburg took six corners to the Lions five.
• Bloomsburg came out of the gates taking shots, getting four off in the first 10 minutes but nothing on net.
• The Huskies finally put one on target and got on the board in the 23rd minute. Own Hollobaugh dished to Sammy Ames in the box who took a touch and went left to right beating Fabio Krissler for a 1-0 lead.
• Bloomsburg had a golden opportunity to make it a two-goal lead just five minutes later. A handball in the box set the Huskies up with a penalty kick. Alex Wilsterman lined up to take it, shot low and to Krissler's left. Krissler guessed right and smothered the ball keeping it one-score match. 
• Georgian Court didn't have many opportunities to tie the rest of the half and after 45 minutes it was still a 1-0 Bloomsburg lead.
• Midway through the second half, Georgian Court started to make some noise. They put back-to-back shots on net as the Huskies had trouble clearing the zone. First it was Jonathan Svelland who's turnaround shot forced Brady Rimple to make a diving save. 
• Then Woodley Cagilus from about 30 yards out went low and hard, but it found Rimple on one hop who made the save.
• Georgian Court had chances with back-to-back corner kicks in the 75th minute, but nothing came of those.
• All the missed Lion opportunities finally came back to bite them as the Huskies took a two-goal lead with less than 12 minutes to play. Collis Heleine Kody Besser headed a throw towards the net. It was trickling toward the far post and Collis Heleine was there to chip it in past the Lions goalkeeper. 
• Knowing a loss was of little consequence to the Lions, they made sure the final 10 minutes were played without anyone getting hurt or accumulating more bookings. No team took a shot the remainder of the game and Bloomsburg took the match 2-0.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Jonathan Svelland Woodley Cagilus each had shots on goal.
• Gijs Van Eif also took a shot that missed the net.
• Fabio Krissler made five saves in 70 minutes.
• Ayendi Batista finished up the game playing the final 20 in goal.

For the Huskies
• Sammy Ames scored a goal on five shots.
• Collis Heleine came off the bench to score the second.
• Kody Besser and Owen Hollobaugh each tallied an assist.
• Brady Rimple stopped both GCU shots on goal.

News and Notes
• This is the first time Bloomsburg defeated Georgian Court. The Lions were 2-0 with two shutout wins in 2017 and 2018.
• This is also the first time the Lions have been shutout in back-to-back games. It's their first time being held without a goal in nonconference play. 

Up Next
• Next up is the CACC Tournament. It's win or go home from here on out. The Lions are the No. 7 seed in the tournament and will be at No. 2 Felician Monday, Nov. 6 with a 5 p.m. kickoff.