LAKEWOOD, NJ (Feb. 22, 2023) - Georgian Court played on their home turf for the first time in 2023 Wednesday afternoon. They faced a tough test in No. 6 Mercy College. On a cold and rainy afternoon, the Mavericks defeated the Lions 18-8.

How it Happened
• Mercy was on offense for most of the game. They took a total of 62 shots, 43 on net and 18 went in the back of the net. Georgian Court ripped 26 total shots, 15 on net with eight getting past the keeper.
• On the ground, Mercy scooped up 53 grounders with the Lions getting to 21.
• The Mavericks had success on the draw winning 21-of-30 face-offs while GCU won 9-of-30.
• Georgian Court's defense was more than holding it's own early on. Michael Ventresca nabbed the first goal of the game a little over minutes in. That goal stood up for more than 12 minutes into the first while goalkeeper Vincent Burkhart made five saves. 
• Mercy got on the board at the 2:51 mark and then proceeded to score four straight in the final three minutes of the first period for a 4-1 lead after one.
• The Mavericks were in the offensive zone much of the first half of period number two. They tacked on three more and led 7-1 midway through the first.
• Daniel Burnham made it a 7-2 game with 7:20 to go in the half, scoring his first goal of the season. The score remained that way until Jack Gibbons made it 8-2 at the 1:49 mark and that was our score going to intermission.
• The two teams traded goals to start the third period. Tallen Smith got on the board for the second consecutive game.
• Burnham scored his second of the game late in the third, but Mercy added three more goals to lead 12-4 going to the final frame.
• The fourth quarter saw 10 total goals scored, more than any other quarter. Mercy scored back-to-back goals with the man advantage to build a 10-goal lead, 15-5.
• Brett Bridges and Vincent Burns each scored their first goals of the season in the quarter. With 3:11 left to play, Burns and Ventresca added two more goals for GCU to get us to the 18-8 final.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Daniel Burnham totaled a team-best three points with two goals and an assist. 
• Michael Ventresca scored twice on five shots.
• Each of Vincent Burns' two shots found the back of the net.
• In net, Vincent Burkhart made 25 saves with a .581 save percentage. 
• Vincent Giunta tallied a pair of assists.
• Kyle Harms added an assist and two caused turnovers.
• Justin Iannarone won four face-offs and grabbed four ground balls.
• Brandon Barnes picked up four grounders as well. 

For the Mavericks
• Brady Kearnan scored four goals with three assists for seven points.
• Jack Gibbons scored four times as well on 18 shots.
• Thomas Connors picked up two goals and four ground balls.
• TJ Heyder added two goals with five grounders.
• Tommy Umano made six saves and allowed five goals. 
• Jason Kuehner won 19-of-24 face-offs. 

News and Notes
• Daniel Burnham moved into the GCU all-time top three in goals scored tallying the 73rd of his career.
• Michael Ventresca moved into the Lions all-time top-five in points scored.
• Georgian Court has scored first in both games this season.
• The Lions opened their season with a pair of top-20 ranked opponents

Up Next
• Georgian Court stays at home. They take on the College of Saint Rose Saturday, Feb. 25 with a 12 p.m. start time. GCU is in the midst of a four-game homestand with each of their next three games played in Lakewood.