PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Nov. 14, 2024) - For the second straight year, Georgian Court Women's Soccer saw their season come to an end in the CACC Tournament semifinals. This year, the fourth-seeded Lions were on the road at the No. 1 seed and unbeaten in the CACC Jefferson Rams. Jefferson got ahead early added padded their lead while playing their trademark strong defense in a 3-0 Ram win. The Lions season ends with a record of 12-6-2 after going 8-3 in CACC play. 

How it Happened
• Shots were fairly even and favored the Lions a bit 12-11 and 6-5 in shots on goal.
• Possession figures were also even at 51% for the Rams, 49% for the Lions. 
• The biggest difference was Georgian Court spent just 53% of their possession in the offensive zone while the Rams spent 61% of their possession in the attacking zone. 
• Corner kicks also had GCU at +1, 5-4.
• Georgian Court was whistled for nine fouls and the Rams six. Jefferson was given the only two yellow cards of the game. 
• Georgian Court had some early pressure with a shot and a corner kick, but nothing to show for it. 
• A Chelsea Lavezzo hit off the corner of the post and bounced back into play. That allowed Jefferson to move fast in transition with numbers and Kyra Lesko found Nikki Dedes who chipped one into the net for a 1-0 lead at the 10 minute mark. 
• While the Lions were in the offensive zone for a good chunk of the half, the Ram defense wasn't allowing much in terms of high-percentage opportunities and were clogging up passing lanes, making it difficult for GCU to string passes together.
• Late in the half, the Rams were threatening and put another goal on the board. In the 39th minute, Evelin Ventura-Garcia sent a cross from the corner into the box where Abby Cargile was waiting at the goal mouth. She got her head on it and directed into the far corner of the net for a 2-0 lead.
• The Rams kept the pressure up for the remainder of the half, but time ran out before they could score another and they led 2-0 after 45 minutes. 
• Jefferson controlled the action at the start of the second half. They were peppering the net and earned some corner kicks, but hadn't been able to extend their lead. 
• In the 58th minute it was Dedes again. Georgian Court failed to clear, allowing Jefferson to keep possession deep in the offensive zone. With the ball at her feet at the top of the box, Dedes turned and threw up a surprise shot that was placed perfectly into the corner of the net, putting Jefferson up 3-0.
• Shortly after, Sophia Ridolfo had a chance to get the Lions on the board. She sent a great ball towards the net, but it curved just wide and sailed out of play.
• Georgian Court was throwing everything they could towards the net in the closing minutes of the game. Jefferson goalkeeper Liv Riddel made four saves in a six-minute span.
• After weathering that Lions offensive flurry, Jefferson was able to play out the clock on their 3-0 win to advance to the CACC Championship Finals. 

Lion Stat Leaders
• Chelsea Lavezzo took a game-high five shots, putting three on net.
• Breana Parkinson added three shots.
• Emma Bennett made two saves. 

For the Rams
• Liv Riddel got the shutout win making six saves.
• Nikki Dedes scored twice on three shots.
• Abby Cargile came off the bench to score. 

News and Notes
• Jessica Ford played in her 70th career match.
• Breana Parkinson surpassed 3,000 career minutes played. 
• Jefferson has been a bit of a house of horrors for the Lions. GCU has now dropped seven straight to the Rams, including twice this season. 
• Georgian Court falls to 2-6 all-time against Jefferson in postseason games. 
• The Lions 12 wins this season are their most since 2019 when they won 14.