SPRINGFIELD, Ma. (Sept. 21, 2024) - Georgian Court Men's Soccer went on the road to pick up their first win of the season. They once again scored early and this time held on for a 1-0 win behind a shutout performance from goaltender Ayendi Batista.

How it Happened
• Shots were even in this one nine-apiece. They were also even in each half five for both in the first and four in the second.
• The Lions put six shots on goal and the Yellow Jackets five.
• Foul numbers were also dead even at 10. GCU was issued the only yellow card, late in the second half.
• The Lions earned one more corner kick, and finished with two. 
• AIC put pressure on Batista early. They got off two shots in the first 6:08 but Batista was up to task.
• Just four minutes later, the Lions' first shot found the back of the net. Gijs van Eif with an assist from Mikey Mallon gave GCU a 1-0 lead.
• Batista made another save in the 18th minute, giving him three in the first 20 of the game.
• Van Eif looked for his second in the closing minutes of the frame, but was stopped by Justus Wetzel and the game was still 1-0 after 45 minutes.
• Jason Spencer got the first shot on goal in the second half. Wetzel stopped that one too.
• The Lion defense was up to task in the second. With the game on the line, it was GCU generating more pressure late. They put three more shots on target in the final six minutes and while they didn't net another, AIC didn't have any more scoring opportunities and the Lions made that one-goal lead hold up for a shutout victory.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Ayendi Batista made five saves in goal for the clean sheet.
• Gijs van Eif scored the Lions lone goal on four shots.
• Mikey Mallon added an assist.

For the Yellow Jackets
• Justus Wetzel made five saves.
• Thomas Lafayette and Lois Vanhoutte Matton each took two shots, putting one on goal.

News and Notes
• Gijs van Eif is up to nine goals in 19 games. His nine goals put him 10th all-time at GCU.
• Van Eif has also scored a goal in three straight games. Louis Silva was the last Lion to score in three straight in 2021. 
• The win for Batista is the second of his career and his first shutout.
• Mikey Mallon played in his 30th career game.
• David Tuschmann played his 1000th career minute.
• This is the fourth straight game GCU has scored first and in the first 11 minutes. 

Up Next
• Georgian Court stays on the road early next week. They'll be back in CACC action with a 6:30 kickoff at Holy Family.