LAKEWOOD, NJ (Sept. 11, 2024) - Georgian Court Men's Soccer played their first home game in 2024. The Lions welcomed St. Thomas Aquinas to Lakewood and were rudely greated as the Spartans scored twice in the first half and once more in the second of a 3-1. The loss puts the Lions at 0-2-1 on the season.
How it Happened
• There was a lot of action early and then a lot of chewing up the grass.
• Each team scored in the first three minutes and there were three goals in the first 10 minutes.
• Following the quick scoring spurt, there was just one goal in the final 80 minutes.
• Shots were even with the Lions holding a slight 11-10 advantage.
• Corner kicks too slightly favored the Lions, 3-2.
• STAC was called for 14 fouls with three yellow cards. The Lions whistled for 11 and issued one card.
• It was Georgian Court who netted the first goal.
Svante Haakansson flicked a ball to
Maurice Engl who one timed it up the field in a perfect spot for
Alessandro Cavallini who dribbled and beat the keeper just 34 seconds into the match.
• The good-feelings quickly turned though as the Spartans got on the board with a goal of their own at the 2:55 mark.
• Seven minutes later, the Spartans' Kevon Evans found himself open with just the Lions goalkeeper and he didn't miss, breaking the one-all tie with a goal.
• GCU had a good chance late in the first half, but two shots found the goal keeper for easy saves and the half ended 2-1.
• Neither team had high-scoring chances early in the second. The Lions were able to get some pressure on the Spartans, but none of their shots were on target.
• In the 68th minute it was Evans again who crossed midfield and deked around a Lions defender and goalkeeper to score his second goal of the game.
• Georgian Court had a couple of late corner kicks, but couldn't generate enough to get another goal on the board and fell 3-1.
Lion Stat Leaders
•
Alessandro Cavallini scored for GCU on his only shot attempt.
•
Mikey Mallon took three shots and put two on net.
•
Jack Pollintine-Smith also had two shots on goal.
• Svante Haakanson and
Maurice Engl potted assists for the Lions.
•
Ayendi Batista started in net, making one save.
For the Spartans
• Kevon Evans scored twice and took four shots.
• Uhunoma Fredrick-Ilekhuoba found the net as well.
• Yahir Hernandez and Mika Leue each earned an assist.
• Dalton Houser made five saves in goal.
News and Notes
• This is the second straight season these teams have met. St. Thomas Aquinas earned the win in each.
• All-time Georgian Court falls to 1-3 against STAC with three straight losses.
• Kevon Evans was the man to watch. The All-Region selection in 2023 scored three in the Spartans season opener and added two more against the Lions.
•
Sebastian Derflinger surpassed 3,000 minutes played for GCU.
Up Next
• The Lions are idle for the weekend. They'll play next Monday, Sept. 16 against Staten Island in what will be their final home game before a five-game road trip.
