LAKEWOOD, NJ (Nov. 11, 2024) -
Chelsea Lavezzo hit the walk-off penalty kick in overtime to send Georgian Court Women's Soccer back into the CACC Tournament semifinals. The Lions overcame and early deficit scoring once in the second half before the game-winning in OT to prevail 2-1 over No. 5 seeded Bridgeport.
How it Happened
• It was really a tale of two halves. Not sure how much the wind was a factor. It was definitely blowing and hard at times and the team with the wind at their back was heavily favored on offense.
• Final numbers show the Lions outshooting Bridgeport 15-13 with shots on goal even at five. Ten of the Purple Knight's 15 shots came in the first half while the Lions outshot UB 9-3 in the second half and overtime.
• The Lions were in the offensive zone for much of the second half. They led in corner kicks 8-2 with seven coming after halftime.
• While there were no fouls called, Bridgeport was whistled for 18 common fouls and the Lions nine.
• Possession numbers show the Lions controlling for 56% of the match.
• The opening half saw Bridgeport as the aggressor. Tatianna Lizarraga put a shot from distance towards the net in the 17th minute that said just wide.
• In the 20th minute, Angelina LoFranco subbed in. She left the game between these two back on Oct. 5 and hadn't played since. It took just 39 seconds for her to have an impact. Lizarraga pushed a ball for LoFranco and she won the footrace with
Emma Bennett as the 50-50 ball went into the open Lions net for a 1-0 UB lead.
• Georgian Court had a good opportunity to tie with 20 minutes to play.
Corissa Robbins' shot from a sharp angle just missed wide. A minute later,
Izzy Hernandez's header from a corner kick looked destined to hit the net, but a UB defender just got a leg on it to keep it out.
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Emma Bennett had to make a couple of saves in the final minutes of the half, including one nice one on a hard shot tailing away from her, but she did her part to keep it just a one-score game after 45 minutes.
• The Lions looked like a different team to start the second half and it didn't take long to find the equalizer. Five minutes in, Hernandez at midfield sent a ball wide for
Sophia Ridolfo. Ridolfo chased it down and evaded not one, not two, but three defenders and chipped the ball up over the goal keeper for a great individual effort goal.
• Bridgeport seemed to be shook and couldn't regain the offense they had rolling in the first half.
• While the Lions kept the pressure up, they couldn't get another goal on the board. In the 79th minute,
Juliana Rettino's shot from midfield went high by just a couple of inches.
• Bridgeport took two shots in the final 10 minutes, but neither came on net. The Lions were awarded a corner kick with 15 seconds left in regulation. They rushed to set it off and got a kick off but it went out of the box as time expired.
• With the postseason comes overtime. Two 10 minutes halves following by penalty kicks if still scoreless and first goal wins the match.
• Georgian Court kept their momentum up from the second half. The Lions got off a couple of shots, but nothing on net.
• With less than a minute to play, the Lions were again awarded a corner kick. Boan took it and even though it overshot everyone, the ball bounced up and hit the hands of a Bridgeport defender in the box.
• The Lions were awarded a penalty kick and with 12 seconds left it was the freshman Lavezzo who stepped up. She calmly drilled it passed a diving goalkeeper to win the game and send the Lions to the semifinals.
Lion Stat Leaders
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Sophia Ridolfo made the most of her only shot, scoring a goal.
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Chelsea Lavezzo was bottled up most of the day, but scored the penalty kick winner.
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Emma Bennett got the win making four saves.
For the Purple Knights
• Angelina LoFranco returned and scored.
• Antia Lopez made three saves.
• Tatianna Lizarraga and Melike Dincel each had three shots.
News and Notes
• The Lions were ousted from the CACC Tournament by Bridgeport last year. The win gives them a bit of revenge for last year's team.
• When these teams met back in October, the results was the same, a 2-1 Lions win after trailed 1-0 at the half with Lavezzo scoring the game-winner.
• Georgian Court is now 3-9-1 all-time against the Purple Knights.
• The Lions improve to 32-18-2 all-time in the CACC Tournament. Coach Jim Moore is now 16-1 all-time in CACC Quarterfinal round games.
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Abby Kennelly played in her 70th career match.
• Juliana Retinno surpassed 2,000 minutes played while
Izzy Hernandez surpassed 3,000 minutes.
Up Next
• Georgian Court moves on to the CACC semifinals where they go on the road to take on No. 1 Jefferson Thursday, Nov. 14 at 1 pm.
