GCA Varsity Soccer is ranked in Division III Central District!!

The Varsity Soccer program  is now ranked 9th in the D III Central District Coaches Poll in only their 2nd year  of  OHSAA membership!  The Lions are 5-1 thus far, having beaten quality teams in Wellington Academy, Madison Christian,  and Gahanna  Christian, however losing last Tuesday to Tree of Life (see story below).  Two other MOCAL schools placed in the top 10, with Delaware Christian at 8th and Tree of Life at 2nd.  Powerhouse Worthington Christian is 1st in the DIII Ohio State Poll and in the Central District Coaches Poll.

However on Tuesday, the undefeated Lions suffered their 1st loss , by the score of 6-1, to a powerful Tree of Life Team, ranked 10th in the D III Ohio State Poll  and 2nd in the D III Central District Coaches  Poll.  The Lions struggled in the 1st half, giving up an unprecedented 6 goals in 40 minutes of play.  Brandon Pound scored the only goal, jumping on a rare defensive error, in the first half of play.  The Lions held firm the entire 2nd half, for a scoreless final 40 minutes of play, the final score at 6-1.  The Trojans managed about 70-30 possession, controlling the midfield and winning the majority of 50-50 balls, finding seams in our defense and playing their 4 back defense like an iron curtain.  Keeper Cameron Maierle struggled as well in the 1st half, but made several  heroic saves 2nd half, keeping the score intact, with a total of 16 saves on 27 shots on goal.

The Purple Pride on the Pitch will take on a potent Gahanna Christian team, who tied 8th ranked Delaware Christian 1-1 last week, on their next match away at their field in Gahanna on Tuesday at the Eagles home field at 5:00.  The Lions beat the Eagles 4-3 earlier this month at Bryn Du Zimmerman Field.  The team then plays in the Mt Vernon Invitational Tournament Thursday and Friday, and the championship on Saturday Night if they qualify.  Check out the schedule on this gcaab website.  Come on out to the games and be a part of the Lion Prowl!!  See you on the pitch!!

BTW, see the recent article on the Lions in the Newark Advocate print dated 9/21, on line at newarkadvocate.com. 

Tonight the Varsity and Middle School Volleyball teams as well as the Varsity Soccer team are on the road. The volleyball teams are at Grove City Christian (4:45 MS, 5:45 Varsity), and the Varsity Soccer Team takes its undefeated record to Tree of Life with a 5:30 game time.

Let's get out and show our support and Go Lions!!!

The Varsity soccer team stunned their traditional rival Madison Christian on Tuesday in a dominating fashion 9-1 at BrynDu Zimmerman field.   The Lions rebounded from last years loss with an awesome display of midfield ball control, corralling roughly a 70:30 possession, and a punishing attack yielding 19 shots on goal.  Five Lions scored on the day, with Sr Robert Rose 3 goals,  Srs Brandon Pound and Nick Mettler 2 goals apiece, and Jr Rick Coplin and Fr Caleb Patton a goal each.  The defense held a stout barrier to a talented Madison attack allowing a solo goal despite the 7 shots  Jr Keeper Cameron Maierle had to negate.  The Lions are 5-0 on the year, tied with Delaware Christian and Tree of Life for the MOCAL League lead.  

The Lions continue their prowl for the MOCAL League Championship in their inaugural season as they take on Tree of Life this Tuesday 9/20 at their home field in Columbus at 5:30.  The Purple Pride on the Pitch tied a mighty Trojan team last year 1:1, and they are sure to be out for revenge.  So come on out to the TOL home field to see two powerhouse rivals tackle on the turf....Be a part of the prowl!!  Go Lions!!!

The GCA Varsity soccer program has exploded with success this season, with 5 seniors, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores and 6 freshmen combining to take a 4-0 record into this tuesday's game vs Madison Christian.  The Lions went 4-0 in the preseason against Heath HS, Lakewood HS, Granville JVA and Watkins JV with a combined score of 13 goals for and 2 against.  This season,  the men and ladies ( yes there are two lady Lions, and man they are good) of the pitch have defeated Liberty Christian, Patriot Academy, and powerhouses Wellington Academy and Gahanna Christian by a combined total of  30 goals for and 4 goals against.  The Lions sit atop the MOCAL league, in their  inaugural season,  with other undefeated teams Tree of Life and Delaware Christian.

Right now, the league standings are as follows:

GCA                 4-0

Tree of Life       4-0

Delaware Chr.   4-0

Gahanna Chr     2-1

Grove City Chr  1-3-1

Madison Chr      1-3

Northside Chr.    0-3-1

Senior Brandon Pound leads all scorers with 7 goals and 8 assists, with Senior Nick Mettler close behind at 6 goals and 3 assists.  Senior Robert Rose and Freshman Caleb Patton each have 3 goals.  Keeper Junior Cameron Maierle has 9 saves on the year thus far.

There will be weekly updates on the Lion prowl the rest of this season, as they persue their goal (pardon the pun) of their 1st MOCAL league championship...in their inaugural season no less!!!  Let's get GCA Nation out to each and every home game and even the away games to be a part of the Lion Pride.  Check the schedule on this web page for upcoming games.  See you on the pitch! Way to go LIONS!!