Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Kier LaCrosse)

Nampa, ID -- The Academy of Art University men's soccer team has repeatedly proved it knows how win in a sudden-death situation. After coming out on top in five overtime matches last season, the Urban Knights did it again in a 2-1 victory over The College of Idaho on Monday afternoon at NNU Soccer Field. Junior forward Grimur Grimsson connected on both ART U goals in the contest including the game-winner in the 95th minute.

“It was a good win because the guys have been working hard and they pulled it off today against another good team,” Head Coach Daniel Rosaia said. “I always preach to the guys that the hard work we did last season and in the preseason will pay off. This year, all the running and training we have done helps so if the game goes deep, then we know we're capable of winning. Seeing the hard work pay off today is going to help us in the near future.”

Through the entire first half of the match, neither team would score as defense played a major role. Led by senior defender and captain Vilmundur Sveinsson, the Academy of Art back line held the Coyotes to just one shot on goal which freshman goalkeeper Jacob Baumann saved. The Knights had their share of changes in the opening period, but a 0-0 tie was taken into halftime.

Not more than eight minutes had ticked off the second half clock before ART U executed a collaborative goal. With a pair of one-touch passes from sophomore midfielder Patrick Heinemann and freshman forward Jonmundur Gretarsson, a shot from six yards out was set up for Grimsson. The junior forward, who had the second-most goals for the Knights last season, put the ball past the C of I goalkeeper for a 1-0 Academy of Art advantage in the 52nd minute.

“Our second goal was a good build up with two good passes and Grimur buried it,” Coach Rosaia said. “[The College of Idaho goal] came quickly after, but I didn't get on our guys too much about that. They understood they made a mistake because after you score a goal, you want to fight hard until the opposing team relaxes again.”

A mere minute later, the Coyotes retied the match. Using a deflection and an assist by Emilio Yomaha, Matt Kelly scored from 10 yards out, effectively making it a 1-1 contest. The Urban Knights were hungry for that first victory and dealt The College of Idaho an offensive barrage in the form of 11 second-half shots (six on goal). However, neither team would break the tie and overtime ensued.

A shot attempt by freshman defender Dalton Gullo came 21 seconds into the extra period, but it found the hands of C of I's keeper and the match's sudden-death situation continued. Each team was charged with an offside call before a cross by sophomore defender Paul Owens enabled Grimsson to bury a shot from 15 yards out, sending ART U home with a victory in the 95th minute.

“We stared a very offensive team in the overtime because we didn't want to wait around for [The College of Idaho] to score,” Coach Rosaia said. “Dalton got into box quickly and had that early chance. Then they came at us and Vimmi made a great defensive play to keep us in the game. After that, [Owens] set it up across and Grimur finished it like he's used to doing.”

Monday was the second occasion in Grimsson's Academy of Art career where he scored two goals in a single match (his previous effort came at Menlo last season). Grimsson was one of three players to have two shots on goal along with Gullo, senior midfielder Richard Luna, and freshman forward Frederick Nagel. Heinemann, Gretarsson, and Owens each tallied an assist as well. Baumann finished the contest with four saves in his first time logging a complete game for the Urban Knights. ART U returns from its Idaho trip now 1-2 this year.

“In terms of Jacob, this was his first start for the Academy,” Coach Rosaia said. “He's the backup to Ian Sutherland, but he proved today that he could start just like Ian. It's nice to have two strong goalkeepers that we can rely on to win games for us. Today was a total team effort as everyone helped to get our first win and hopefully we'll build off this and have a good season.”

For the Coyotes, Kelly had the squad's lone goal and Yomaha the one assist. Goalie Aaron Reynolds amassed 10 saves with the two goals allowed over his complete 95:44 minutes on the field. Like the Knights, The College of Idaho is also 1-2 on the season.

Academy of Art returns to the Bay Area for its next contest, the 2011 home opener, against Menlo College. The match will take place this Thursday, Sept. 8 and is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM.