GCU Athletics

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Sept. 29, 2026) - It's never easy playing at Chestnut Hill. The Griffins always give the Lions all they could handle and that was the case once again Tuesday night. This Lions team was up to the challenge and even though they were down on the scoreboard and a player, GCU rallied with two goals in the final 15 minutes to steal a 3-2 win and improve to 5-2-2 overall and 2-0-0 in the CACC.

How it Happened
• Aside from the goals, the biggest moment came when Georgian Court was issued a red card early in the second half.
• The Lions were in control of possession but those numbers came down a bit following the ejection.
• GCU still led in shots 24-14 and shots on goal 13-5. They also took 14 corner kicks.
• The foul count saw the Lions called for 17 and three yellow cards (one of which turned into a red). Chestnut Hill was whistled for 10 fouls and three yellow cards as well. 
1st Half
• Georgian Court dominated the first half with most of the time spent down near the goal line.
• The Lions were peppering the net, getting off 14 shots and putting six on goal.
• They also earned 10 corner kick opportunities in the first 40 minutes.
• It seemed like the Lions were destined to score, but it was actually Chestnut Hill who got on the board first. Mohamed Bility scored for CHC in the 17th minute to shock the Lions.
• Between the 24th and 31st minute, Georgian Court totaled six shots and five corner kicks, but still couldn't find the equalizer.
• Following a Chestnut Hill yellow card, it was Gijs van Eif with the ball on his foot. He's had the magic touch all year and in the 38th minute tied the game at one.
• After the Lions goal, Georgian Court didn't take another shot the rest of the half.
• Lennox Blue Lebelt made a save in the 42nd minute and the half ended knotted at one. 
2nd Half
• Less than a minute into the half, Georgian Court was driving towards the net. Yanis Achouri got a shot on goal, but that was thwarted by the Griffin keeper.
• In the 48th minute, Georgian Court's Nicholas Damiano picked up his second yellow card of the game meaning the Lions had to play down a man for the final 42 minutes of action.
• Now with a man advantage, Chestnut Hill's offense had more room to operate. They had a spurt in the 58th minute and got consecutive shots off. The second one found the back of the and the Griffins reclaimed a one-goal lead.
• Playing with a lead and 11 on 10, Chestnut Hill's main priority was running out the clock. 
• That was made a little more difficult as they turned the ball over in the offense zone and the Lions had a 2-on-1. Leo Elder dribbled into the box and fired, but the Griffin goalkeeper Max Bond made a point-blank save to maintain the lead.
• A minute later, Bond made another strong save. Ferdinand Holdhaus got a shot off from the top of the box and Bond dove to his right to snag the low-liner and keep it out of the net.
• Georgian Court was generating more offense despite playing shorthanded. Elder had another shot inside the box that Bond this time dove to his left to push aside.
• A minute later, in the 77th minute it was van Eif again. Bond made another point-blank save on Elder, but van Eif was in the right spot at the right time to head in the rebound and tie the game once again.
• Shortly after, a foul gave GCU a free kick in the offensive zone. Yanis Achouri lined up for it and got it towards the net, but it curved just wide and stayed out.
• Despite playing a man down, Georgian Court kept having the better chances. On a counter attack after a Griffin corner kick, van Eif had the ball at midfield. He pushed the ball forward and Jack Pollintine-Smith, who subbed on just a few minutes earlier, chased it down, beating two defenders and then the keeper to give the Lions their first lead in the 84th minute.
• Chestnut Hill's kill-the-clock game failed and they needed to score quickly. They maintained possession for much of the final six minutes, but the GCU defense, even a man down, didn't allow a single shot the rest of the way. 

Lion Stat Leaders
• Gijs van Eif scored five points with two goals and an assist on five shots. All five shots were on target.
• Jack Pollintine-Smith scored the game-winner on his only shot off the bench.
• Leo Elder took five shots and collected an assist. 
• Lennox Blue Lebelt got the win making three saves. 

For the Griffins
• Max Bond did all he could do making 10 saves for Chestnut Hill.
• Mohamed Bility scored a goal and added an assist.
• Emmanuel Sampson also scored. 

News and Notes
• This is van Eif's third multi-goal game this season and fifth game with multiple points.
• Georgian Court's 14 corner kicks are their most since 2022. That game was also against Chestnut Hill. 
• Yanis Achouri played in his 20th career game.
• Leo Elder surpassed 1,000 career minutes. 

Up Next
• It's a busy week for Georgian Court. They're going to play back-to-back days this Friday and Saturday starting Friday afternoon at 1 pm against Felician. The game is a makeup from the originally scheduled match that was set for last Saturday.