Box Score

San Francisco, CA – Academy of Art University men's soccer made it three victories in a row Thursday as the Urban Knights prevailed over California Baptist, its first Pacific West Conference opponent of the season, 3-2 in overtime out at Crocker Amazon Park. A flurry of goals came in the final 25 minutes of the match culminating with a cross from senior Andrew Durano to junior Jonmundur Gretarsson for the game-winner in the 93rd minute.

In the early going, CBU sent several waves of attacks at ART U, but the Knights repeatedly denied those chances. The Lancers' Alex Anderson put an attempt on frame in the 30th minute, but freshman goalkeeper Luca Theis was there for the save. Academy of Art's defense held tough and the remainder of the period was kept scoreless for both teams.

The Knights' offense, which had begun to wake up with shot attempts from junior Jon "Jay" Eldon and Gretarsson in the final two minutes, came alive in the second period. Senior Patrick Heinemann had two early shots on California Baptist's Joey Pacheco, but both were saved. In the 70th minute, however, ART U broke through as senior Aron Ekberg was set up on the right wing after a free kick and crossed the ball in to sophomore Lennart Fleschhut for a header goal.

That 1-0 lead held up until the 79th minute when CBU responded on a breakaway that saw Anderson cross the ball to Marc Hope in the box for a quick touch to the net. The Lancers would then take a 2-1 lead in the 85th minute thanks to another cross in the goalie box from Anderson to Jonathan Fausto.

With their backs against the wall trailing 2-1 in the final five minutes of regulation, the Urban Knights refused to give in. In the 86th minute, Heinemann used a quick corner kick to set up a cross from 30 yards to junior Frederik Nagel who put the equalizer into the back of the net. No more shot attempts occurred in the remainder of the half and it was soon clear that overtime would be needed to settle a 2-2 tie.

California Baptist had one shot attempt two minutes into the extra period, but it was Academy of Art who finished the match with an exclamation mark. In the 93rd minute, senior Andrew Durano sent a free kick into the box where it found Gretarsson just steps away from the goal and soon the Urban Knights were all smiles celebrating their 3-2 victory.

ART U put seven shots on goal during the match with Fleschhut, Nagel, and Gretarsson each registering goals. Ekberg, Heinemann, and Durano each added assists as the all-time career leaderboard continues to heat up in that category. Ekberg and Durano each have 10 assists for the Knights while Heinemann is just ahead of his teammates with 12 overall.

Defensively, Theis notched one save with the two goals allowed in 93:44 between the posts. He sports a 3-0 record as he has started each of ART U's matches during its past three-game winning streak to make Academy of Art 3-2 overall and 1-0 in PacWest play.

California Baptist had goals from Hope and Fausto with Anderson adding both assists. Pacheco took the loss in goal after allowing three goals with four saves. The Lancers are still in search of their first victory of the year as they are now 0-2-1 overall and 0-1 in PacWest action.

The Urban Knights are next in action this Saturday, Sept. 21 at City College of San Francisco, hosting Azusa Pacific. That PacWest match is set to kickoff at 2:30 PM following the women's soccer match.