LAKEWOOD, NJ (Nov. 3, 2026) – Playing for the first time in three weeks,
Nicholas Damiano left a lasting legacy on No. 6 seed Georgian Court's 2-1 win over No. 7 seed Post in the CACC Tournament Semifinals. The freshman netted the game-winner in the 73
rd minute (72:47), tapping the rebound past Francisco Pinochet, who had made an initial save. With the win, the Lions improve to 11-6-3 while Post ends their season at 6-7-6.
How it Happened
•
Gijs van Eif converted a penalty kick in the 19
th minute (18:15) to open the scoring.
• Eliass Elfasoukhi equalized in the 28
th minute (27:54) when his service was deflected in by a GCU defender.
• Damiano sent the Lions to the Title Match with his first collegiate goal.
• GCU outshot Post, 13-7.
1st Half
•
Jack Pollintine-Smith showcased his speed, racing through multiple Post defenders before being pulled down inside the box to draw a penalty kick. Van Eif promptly stepped up and delivered a rocket inside the near post to make it 1-0.
• Post found the equalizer less than 10 minutes later. Elfasouki sent a cross towards Mirai Soto inside the box and it caromed off
Marcel Novak and into the net.
2nd Half
• The Lions nearly took the lead when Alexander Forysth's header in the 58th minute was stopped by a leaping Francisco Pinochet. Forsyth was playing for the first time since the penultimate match of the regular season.
• GCU took the lead for good with some excellent communication. Damiano and van Eif both raced after a ball on the right channel before Damiano peeled toward's the middle. van Eif then sent the freshman a perfect ball in the box and while Pinochet made a great first save, he could not stop the rebound.
Lion Stat Leaders
•
Gijs van Eif scored one goal.
•
Nicholas Damiano scored one goal.
•
Lennox Blue Lebelt stopped two shots.
For the Post
• Eliass Elfasoukhi scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
• Francisco Pinochet made two saves, including a brilliant leaping stop on Alex Forsyth's header midway through the second half.
News and Notes
• The goal for Damiano was the first of his collegiate career.
• With the win, GCU defeated Post twice in one season for the first time in program history. They took down the then No. 14 ranked Eagles during the regular season behind a second half goal from
Leo Elder.
• van Eif scored his 10
th goal of the season, making it two times in three seasons he's reached double digit goals.
• The Lions advanced to the CACC Tournament Championship Match for the third time in program history (2016, 2019). The 2016 squad won it all.
Up Next
• No. 6 seed Georgian Court meets No. 5 seed Bridgeport on Saturday in Newark, Delaware (home of the Wilmington Wildcats) in the Championship. The winner receives the league's automatic bid to the NCAA East Region Tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 am.
