LAKEWOOD, NJ (Sept. 9, 2025) - Georgian Court Men's Soccer kicked off the 2025 campaign at home for the first time in three years. After a scoreless first half, Saint Michael's took advantage of their chances to score twice late in a 2-0 win and start GCU off 0-1 in the regular season.

How it Happened
• The shot totals point to a dominating ball-control game from Saint Michael's as they took 23 to the Lions four. However it was Georgian Court who led in possession total with 53%.
• While the Purple Knights fired 23 shots, they put only 10 on target.
• SMC also led in corner kicks, 7-5. 
• Each team was issued four yellow cards, but the Purple Knights were whistled for 24 common fouls and the Lions just 11.
First Half
• It was a feeling-out process for each team in the early going. There was only one shot in the first 10 minutes, and nothing on net.
• Ayendi Batista made a save on a free kick that followed a GCU yellow card to keep the game scoreless 17:30 in.
• Saint Michael's totaled 13 shots in the first half, but Batista made four saves to keep it a 0-0 game at the half.
Second Half
• The Purple Knights were rewarded with consecutive corner kicks early in the half, but the Lions did well to push those aside.
• After a third Purple Knight corner kicked sailed out of play, the Lions had possession with a goal kick. Deep in their own territory though, GCU turned the ball over as Ronnie Riby-Williams stripped the ball loose and created a two-on-one inside the box. He pushed a pass to a wide open Jack Andrews who finished for a 1-0 lead in the 64th minute.
• Five minutes later there were three yellow cards issued in a span of 47 seconds. Two were on Saint Michael's and one led to a shot from Gijs van Eif, but he couldn't find the net.
• With less than 10 minutes to play, Batista made back-to-back saves to keep it a one-goal game.
• But with just 1:07 left, Riby-Williams again picked up an assist, this time feeding Iago Lopez who scored and sealed the 2-0 win for the Purple Knights.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Ayendi Batista made eight saves in goal.
• Gijs van Eif had three of the Lions four shots.
• Sander Rynning had the fourth and the only one on net.

For the Purple Knights
• Garrett Smith kept the clean sheet making just one save.
• Ronnie Riby-Williams picked up a pair of assists and took four shots.
• Jack Andrews scored on his only shot.
• Iago Lopez took four shots, put three on net and scored once.

News and Notes
• A handful of Lions played in their first career games: Noa Aasheim, Henry Calix, David Chancellor, Jadyn DeRose, Shermicah Moore, Daniel Olatundun and Sander Rynning.
• This is the second straight season GCU has opened the year with a loss to Saint Michael's. They've been shutout in both games.
• Season openers as a whole haven't been too kind to Georgian Court who fall to 2-7-3 in their first games of the season.
• Ayendi Batista made his 70th career save in the game.

Up Next
• Georgian Court looks to rebound this coming Saturday, September 6 as they host Bentley. Game time is scheduled for 2 pm on the turf field at the GCU Track and Field Complex.