GCU Athletics

LAKEWOOD, NJ (Sept. 3, 2026) - It was a perfect day for Georgian Court Men's Soccer. With the sun shining brightly on their home opener, the Lions scored four times to capture a 4-1 win over the College of Staten Island. Not only was it the Lions first win of the season, it was the 100th in both the history of the program and for Head Coach Dino Raso and Assistant Coach Robbie Fitzpatrick. Georgian Court remains unbeaten on the season, improving to 1-0-2.

How it Happened
• While possession percentage was even, the ball was in the Dolphins defensive zone most of the afternoon. Even when the Lions weren't in possession of the ball, the Dolphins were back on their heels, playing the ball back towards their own goal.
• Georgian Court led in both shots, 14-10, and shots on goal, 8-5.
• Part of what gave Staten Island extra possessions was the five offsides GCU was called for.
• In addition to the offsides, there were 14 whistles called against the Lions for fouls and three yellow cards. CSI was called for 18 common fouls and four yellows. 
• Each team had a player collect two yellow cards and was subsequently ejected. 
1st Half
• Both teams tried their hand early, putting a quick shot on each keeper that was easily saved.
• Right at the 10 minute mark of the half, Staten Island pulled down Gijs van Eif in the box giving one of the best scorers in Division II a penalty kick.
• Van Eif capitalized with a low and hard shot inside the left post for a 1-0 Lions lead.
• Five minutes later, Noah-Maxim Kleiser nearly made it 2-0. He ripped a shot from the top of the box and got all of it. Unfortunately for GCU it was just a tick high and stayed out.
• In the 27th minute, Nabeel Khan had his opportunity. A point-blank shot inside the left-hand corner of the box that Luca Schelling made his best save of the day on to keep it a 1-0 game.
• In his first start in net for GCU, Lennox Blue Lebelt really wasn't tested much. CSI took four shots in the half and put two on net, but right into his chest.
• With less than a minute remaining, Lennox Dorn got hit foot up a bit too high and was issued a yellow card. Nothing materialized for the Dolphins and the Lions led 1-0 after 45 minutes.
2nd Half
• A little more than three minutes in, Khan got another chance and this time didn't miss. From a similar spot on the field, just a little outside the box, Khan used his left foot and went into the upper right corner to make it a 2-0 game.
• In the 59th minute, Dorn was shown a second yellow card which ejected him from the game and left GCU a man down with 31 minutes left to play.
• Staten Island started applying pressure shortly after the card. Blue Lebelt made a save two minutes later and two minutes after that, the Dolphins had their best chance of the match to that point with Emmanuel Kamkouris hitting the crossbar. The ball stayed in the field of play, but the Lions pushed it out of harm's way.
• Georgian Court held strong playing man-down, keeping the Dolphins scoreless.
• The Lions extended their lead in the 77th minute as Joseph Juarez found Gijs van Eif who scored his second of the game.
• Shortly after the goal the Dolphins evened things up. That's in number of players on the field. CSI's Claidi Nurcja picked up his second yellow card of the game and the match was down to 10-on-10. 
• With under five minutes to go, there was still a flurry of action. The Dolphins picked up a foul in the defensive end and that gave the Lions a free kick opportunity. Leo Elder cashed in with a shot from 25 yards out, putting GCU ahead 4-0.
• The Lions shutout bid though, was not to be. CSI scored with just 1:03 left to play and the game ended 4-1.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Gijs van Eif scored twice on five shots.
• Nabeel Khan took two shots, both going on target and one going in the net.
• Leo Elder scored off of a free kick.
• Lennox Blue Lebelt made four saves for the win.
• Joseph Juarez and Anthony Ryan each earned an assist.

For the Dolphins
• Deniz Karcher was the CSI goal scorer.
• Dylan Meadows put three of the Dolphins five shots on goal. 
• Luca Schelling made four saves.

News and Notes
• Nabeel Khan's goal was the first of his career.
• Gijs van Eif picked up the sixth multi-goal game of his career.
• Leo Elder's goal was his first this season and second of his career. He appeared in his 20th career game.
• Georgian Court's win was the program's 100th. Both coaches, Dino Raso and Robbie Fitzpatrick have been on the sidelines for them all.
• This marks the first time since 2021 that Georgian Court is unbeaten through the first three games of the season. They started that season 9-0-3.
• GCU improves to 8-5-1 in home openers.
• This is also the Lions first ever win over the College of Staten Island. They had dropped the first two ever matches in 2024 and 2025.