LAKEWOOD, NJ (Sept. 4, 2024) - The new season of Georgian Court men's Soccer is this weekend with the Lions in Vermont for a cross-region battle.

Opponents (2023 Record)
Saint Michael's Knights (5-6-4, 3-4-3 NE10)
Bentley Falcons (5-7-4, 5-3-2 NE10)

Where
Colchester, VT (Duffy Field vs. Saint Michaels, Doc Jacobs Field vs. Bentley)

When
Thursday, Sept. 5 - 7 pm
Saturday, Sept. 7 - 1 pm

How to Watch
• Both matches are available to watch via a pay-to-view broadcast on the Saint Michael's portal of the NE-10 Digital Network powered by Flo Sports. Links for videos and live stats can be found above and on the Lions Soccer schedule page. 

Previously vs. This Weekend's Opponents
• This is the first ever meeting between Georgian Court and both Saint Michael's and Bentley. 

Last Time Out
• Georgian Court won their first round CACC Tournament game last season playing on the road at Felician. They took down the Golden Falcons in penalties 6-5 following a 2-2 regulation.
• In the semifinals, GCU could not get passed conference tournament runners up Bridgeport, 4-1. 
• Maurice Engl scored in the final minute to prevent the shutout. 

Individual Milestones
• Sotirios Gkosdis is 12 saves away from reaching 100 and becoming the fifth Lion to ever do that.
• Ryan Lee's next game played will be his 50th. He also needs 68 minutes to get to 3,000.
• Robert Tapp is two games away from reaching 30. 

Preseason Rankings
• Coming into the season the Lions were picked to finish seventh in the CACC regular season.
• GCU finished seventh in 2023 as well, earning a spot in the CACC Tournament.
• Defending champions Post were picked to repeat as conference champs.

Scheduling Quirks
• Georgian Court starts 2024 on the road for seven of their first nine games.
• They then play home in six of the final nine including a span playing six of seven at home.
• GCU will also have the luxury of welcoming the top teams in the CACC to Lakewood as the Lions host each of the top-four teams in the poll

Veterans Day
• GCU brings back eight of the 12 who started the most games in 2023.
• Defensively, the group of Alessandro Cavallini, Sebastian Derflinger, Oscar Jannesson and Ryan Lee combined to make 64 starts last year and all four come back.
• Georgian Court also welcomes back goalkeeper Sotirios Gkosdis who made 88 saves in 2022 but missed all of 2023. His 1.33 career goals against average is the best in team history.

About Saint Michael's
• Last season Saint Michael's finished the year at 5-6-4 overall and 3-4-3 in NE10 play and just missed qualifying for the NE10 Tournament on a tiebreaker.
• The Knights were picked to finish eighth this year in the league.
• Wade Jean returns for his 15th season as head coach. His 2024 squad returns 27 from 2023 and also welcomes 15 newcomers.
• Who's in net is the question for Saint Michael's as the five goaltenders on the roster have a combined 52:27 of action between them.
• In 15 games last year, the Knights scored just 18 goals. Mikel Penin led the team with three goals and is back for his junior season.
• NE10 All-Rookie Team member Ronnie Riby-Williams also returns after totaling six points in 11 games.

About Bentley
• Bentley's 5-3-2 mark in the NE10 earned them a spot in the NE10 Tournament, but they fell to Southern New Hampshire in the opening round.
• This year the Falcons were picked to finish fifth the league standings.
• Head Coach Gary Crompton was the 2023 NE10 Coach of the Year in his 16th season at the helm.
• The team brings back 18 returners, five that made the All-NE10 team last season.
• Luke Hanchar was named NE10 co-Defensive Player of the Year and made the NE10 Preseason Watch List.
• Bentley did lose leading scorer Lukas Drahos, but Evan Levine who scored five goals is back to lead the offense. 
• Like Saint Michael's, Bentley will also be in search of a new keeper as both goaltenders from 2023 are no longer on the team.