CALDWELL, NJ (Nov. 5, 2023) - Georgian Court used a strong defensive performance and got a late goal from
Abby Kennelly to pull off a 1-0 quarterfinal round win in the CACC Tournament. The win puts GCU at 6-6-6 this season and pushed them into next weekend's semifinal round.
How it Happened
• The match was evenly played with both teams getting 10+ shots and controlling play in bunches.
• Caldwell finished with 18 total shots, and the Lions 13. Both teams put eight shots on net.
• Fouls were kept low as the Lions were called for seven and the Cougars six. Neither team was issued a card.
• Each team also took two corner kicks.
• Georgian Court was able to get a shot off in the opening minute.
Sophia Ridolfo had an early test of Ariana Gaminara.
• Each team had chances in the early going. A Lion goalkick resulted in a turnover and scoring chance for the Cougars when the slick field caused a mishit. Rosio Cardinas took a shot from a dangerous area, but missed wide.
• Shortly after, a foul gave the Lions a free kick from about 30 yards out.
Emily Clayton shot low to the right, but Gaminara was able to scoop it up.
• Caldwell took another shot from the top of the box. Cardinas again with a turnaround shot had a good look, but again missed wide.
• After both teams weathered the early storm, the chances slowed down. Both teams were chewing up the middle of the field in the middle and later portions of the half.
•
Carley Polchak made one more save in the final 10 minutes, giving her five in the first half.
• In the closing seconds, a long pass found
Chiamaka Wokocha near the top of the box. GCU was unable to push anything towards the net and Caldwell cleared as the scoreless first half expired.
• Caldwell controlled play at the start of the second half. They got another shot on Polchak who was up to the task.
• Georgian Court had back-to-back shots after the 50 minute mark. First was
Juliana Rettino which Gaminara turned aside.
Abby Kennelly then took her turn at a header but it went wide and out of play.
• In the 64th minute, a turnover game Caldwell a scoring chance. Melissa Martinez took a shot from distance but it rang off the crossbar and stayed out.
• Going back the other way, Kennelly tried for the first goal, taking a shot from 25 yards out that short-hopped Gaminara but she stayed with it to make the save.
• The Lions worked a corner kick opportunity in the 66th minute. Clayton took the kick and the ball rolled along the goal mouth before Kennelly was there to chip it into the corner for a 1-0 lead.
• A GCU foul gave Caldwell a free kick in the 80th minute. Cardenas got a head on it, but it sailed wide preserving the lead.
• Caldwell had one final shot to tie the match. With less than a minute to play, a ball was played into the box where Polchak aggressively came out of the net and won the race with a Cougar attacker pushing the ball aside as the clock hit zeroes.
Lion Stat Leaders
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Abby Kennelly scored for GCU and took four shots.
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Carley Polchak made eight saves.
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Emily Clayton also took four shots and assisted on the goal.
For the Cougars
• Ariana Gaminara made seven saves in net.
• Rosio Cardenas led with six shots.
• Sarah Costanza attempted three shots.
News and Notes
• This is the sixth time GCU and Caldwell have met in the CACC Tournament. The Lions are now 3-3 against the Cougars in the postseason, winning the last two.
• Georgian Court is now 31-17-2 in CACC Tournament games.
•
Aliya Canfield played her 5500th minute and
Bridgette King her 1000th.
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Abby Kennelly has scored in three straight games and now has 10 career goals.
• This is Polchak's first 90-minute shutout of the season. She hasn't allowed more than one goal in any of her last seven matches.
Up Next
• Georgian Court will have a rematch against Bridgeport in the CACC semifinal round. The No. 7 Purple Knights upset the No. 2 seed Wilmington Wildcats 4-0. The match will be Friday, Nov. 10 in Bridgeport as the Purple Knights are the host of the semifinals and finals.
