GCU Athletics

LAKEWOOD, NJ (Nov. 4, 2026) - In a thrilling semifinal matchup, Georgian Court women's soccer punched its ticket to the CACC Championship after advancing on penalty kicks following a scoreless draw.

How it Happened
• Bridgeport held a commanding advantage in shots, recording 31 attempts with 12 on goal, compared to Georgian Court's seven shots, three of which were on target.
• Corner kicks were also in favor of the Purple Knights, who had five and the Lions had two attempts. 
• Fouls were close, with GCU leading 12-11. 
• Bridgeport came out strong from the opening whistle, recording five shots within the first 10 minutes of play.
• Delaine Wilkinson stood strong in net for the Lions, making nine first-half saves to keep Bridgeport off the scoreboard heading into halftime.
• The Lions tightened up defensively in the second half, limiting Bridgeport's opportunities and allowing Wilkinson to go the entire half without needing to make a save.
• The same held for Bridgeport, as its goalkeeper also went the entire second half without having to make a save.
• At the end of regulation, the score still stood 0-0, and both teams went into overtime. 
• Bridgeport had two scoring opportunities in the first overtime period, but Wilkinson stood strong in net to keep the Lions alive. With neither team able to break the scoreless tie, the match headed into the second and final overtime period.
• The Lions came close to breaking the deadlock when Chelsea Lavezzo created a scoring opportunity. Seanna Boan followed up and nearly found the back of the net, but Bridgeport was able to clear the ball away.
• The buzzer sounded, and it was time for penalty kicks. 
• CACC Player of the Year Manuela Macedo stepped up to take the first penalty kick of the night and successfully converted her attempt.
• Chelsea Lavezzo answered for the Lions, stepping up to the spot and successfully converting her penalty kick to even the score.
• Delaine Wilkinson initially saved Bridgeport's second penalty kick attempt, but the shot was ordered to be retaken after Wilkinson was ruled to have left her line early. Wisnewski stepped up for a second attempt but struck the crossbar.
• Ella McLaren and Hailey Funkhouser stepped up for the Lions second and third penalty kick attempts, with both successfully converting to give GCU the advantage.
• Bridgeport failed to convert its third penalty kick attempt, giving the Lions an even greater advantage in the shootout.
•  Wilkinson, who had come up big for the Lions all night, delivered once again with the decisive save to secure Georgian Court's spot in the CACC Championship.

Lion Stat Leaders
•  Delaine Wilkinson made 12 saves in net. 
• Chelsea Lavezzo had three shots on net. 

For the Purple Knights
• Brianna Romaniak had five shots. 
• Keli Zavatsky also had five shots. 
• Angelina Griva made three saves in net. 

News and Notes