LAKEWOOD, NJ (Sept. 16, 2023) - There were plenty of smiles all around Saturday afternoon as Georgian Court Men's Soccer played their home opener. Not only was it the home opener, it was also the CACC opener and Senior Day for the Lions. And on a day recognizing the outstanding upperclassmen, the Lions got a look into the future as both GCU goals came from freshmen in a 2-1 win over Dominican. The two goals led the Lions to their first win of the season as they're now 1-2-1 and 1-0 in conference play.

How it Happened
• Georgian Court was in control for much of the after, dominating in total shots 30-11 and shots on goal, 12-1.
• The Dominican goalkeeper kept them in the game the best he could, but the Lions also missed on some opportunities to put the ball in the net.
• All the possession in the Lions attacking end led to five GCU corner kicks while Dominican only took two.
• Georgian Court was called for more fouls, 16-9, but Dominican was booked with four yellow cards. Two of those yellows came on the same player, meaning Dominican had to play a man short for the final 15:35.
• The scoring nearly started right away from Georgian Court. Cherif Tammar had a good look at the goal, but David Arteaga made a sprawling save to keep it out just 30 seconds into the match.
• GCU kept the pressure up getting four more shots in the first 10 minutes. 
• Dominican hurt themselves with a turnover right in front of the net gave Gijs Van Eif an open look and he didn't miss. He gave GCU a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute.
• Georgian Court could have added a couple more goals in that opening half, but Arteaga made six saves.
• Nearing the end of the half, a Dominican yellow card gave Mikey Mallon an opportunity, but Arteaga again kept it out and the period ended 1-0. 
• After the horn sounded, Guilherme Pirana of the Chargers was issued a yellow card, which proved important later in the match.
• The Lions again had a good look to start the second half. This time it was Cole Sullivan looking to get one past Arteaga who was up to the challenge.
• In the 59th minute, David Tuschmann kept the ball away from Arteaga who came way out to challenge. Tuschmann passed to Sullivan who had the entire net in front of him and scored to make it 2-0.
• Now trailing 2-0, Dominican's Pirana took a second yellow card in the 75th minute. That meant he was ejected from the game and the Chargers had to play with 10 for the final 15:35.
• Even playing a man down, Dominican still made a game of it. Ten minutes later, in the 85th minute, Jacob Owen connected on a free kick past Fabio Krissler and just like that it was a one-goal game.
• In the final minute, Dominican had one more chance to tie, but Owen's kick missed wide right and time expired on a 2-1 Lions win.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Gijs Van Eif took three shots with two on net and a goal.
• Cole Sullivan came off the bench and totaled four shots with a goal.
• David Tuschmann had the Lions lone assist.
• Cherif Tammar ripped nine shots with four going on net.

For the Chargers
• David Arteaga made 10 saves in goal.
• Jacob Own had two shots and a goal.
• Guilherme Pirana had a team-high three shots.

News and Notes
• Van Eif and Sullivan's goals are the first for either in their career.
• Cherif Tammar's nine shots are the most for GCU this season.
• The Lions 30 shots are more than GCU had in all of their first three games combined.
• GCU's win snapped a three-match unbeaten streak against Dominican.
• Sam Thombs took career shot number 40.
• Mikey Mallon and Cherif Tammar each played career game number 20.
• Prior to the game, the Lions celebrated senior day with their eight seniors: James Besser, Rhys Cotter, Sotirios Gkosdis, Joseph Liberatore, Ibrahim Madad, Mathias Madersbacher, Lucas Moreira and Sam Thombs. 

Up Next
• The Lions are back on the road Wednesday, Sept. 20 to take on Goldey-Beacom at 4 p.m.