LAKEWOOD, NJ (Sept. 5, 2024) - Georgian Court Women's Soccer did something they hadn't in a decade. The Lions won their season opener, snapping a skid that dated back to 2015. The Lions scored twice in the first half and added a late insurance goal to put away the Setters, 3-1 and start the season in the win column.

How it Happened
• Georgian Court was in complete control of possession, holding the ball for 60% of the game.
• The Lions altered their offense from previous years. They played with an extra body in the midfield, choosing to play three defensemen instead of four and it paid off. GCU took 25 shots, five times as many as Pace. They also put 11 on target while the Setters tested goalkeeper Emma Bennett just three times.
• GCU kept the pressure up earning 13 corner kicks to the Setters three.
• Pace was called for 10 fouls to the Lions four. Each team's head coach also was issued a yellow card.
• It didn't take long for the Lions to get on the board. After earning a handful of corner kicks, the Lions broke through on the set piece. Seanna Boan lofted it from the corner towards the net and Juliana Rettino rose above all to head it into the net in the sixth minute.
• A beautiful entry pass from the Setters in the 23rd minute evened up the game. Hildur Unnarsdóttir played ball into the box and Ava Viebrock touched it past Bennett to even the game. 
• Late in the half, the Lions got their lead back. On a team filled with juniors and seniors, it was the freshman to sophomore combination of Chelsea Lavezzo to Chiamaka Wokocha who put GCU ahead 2-1.
• In the middle of the second half, Pace had an opportunity to tie with Viebrock closing in on Bennett. Bennett came out to challenge and got enough to squash the best opportunity from the Setters.
• GCU put the game away in the 85th minute. Boan picked up her second assist finding Abby Kennelly who connected for an insurance goal and a 3-1 Lions win.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Seanna Boan picked up two points with a pair of assists.
• Juliana Rettino put three shots on goal and scored once.
• Abby Kennelly only needed one shot to score.
• Chiamaka Wokocha scored on two shots.
• Chelsea Lavezzo took a game-high nine shots with three on target.
• Emma Bennett made a pair of saves in goal.

For the Setters
• Anna Fiore was busy in net for Pace making eight saves.
• Ava Viebrock provided the offense with a goal on five shots.
• Hildur Unnarsdóttir came off the bench to provide an assist.

News and Notes
• Going back to last season, Abby Kennelly has now scored four goals in her last five games.
• This is the Lions first season opening win since 2014 when they defeated Saturday's opponent, New Haven.
• Sophia Ridolfo played in her 50th career game. Rettino and Coulahan each played their 20th.

Up Next
• Georgian Court will play at home again in game two of their season opening tournament Saturday taking on New Haven at 2 p.m.