SAN FRANCISCO — Autumn typically marks the end of green and flourish for the year. But the fall of 2014 was a season of much growth for the Academy of Art University women's soccer team, even while playing under a brand new head coach and featuring only four seniors.

And the return on that growth shows much promise for 2015 and beyond.
 
"This season we had some ups and downs, but this team battled every game and kept positive in some of our toughest moments," said head coach Katie Awerkamp. "We faced a lot of change in structure, and adapting to a new style and system is sometimes tough, but the girls responded well and continued to learn as a team. We saw a lot of progress in certain areas, but also saw areas that we need to keep improving in."
 
The Urban Knights matched their 2013 season record with a 3-14-1 showing in 18 games. ART U improved its record in the Pacific West Conference from the year prior, going 3-9 (nine points) compared to 2-9-1 (seven points).
 
The season began on Sept. 4 with a strong defensive effort at home. The Urban Knights shut out 2013 NCAA Quarterfinalist Cal State San Bernardino for more than 53 minutes before eventually falling 2-0 at Boxer Stadium.
 
That preceded their trip across town on Sept. 7 when ART U faced San Francisco State at Cox Stadium. Junior forward Réa Laudat scored the Knights' first goal of the season in a 2-1 setback versus the Gators.
 
"Rea is someone who had some great moments this season," said Awerkamp. "I am excited to have her back next year for her senior season. Seeing her gain confidence this year and going into this off-season will give this team momentum in going forward and to keep building."
 
Laudat, along with senior teammate Louise Fillingham, was named to the All-PacWest team at season's end. Laudat earned third team honors after leading ART U with six goals and 13 points. Fillingham was named honorable mention.
 
Laudat ended her 2014 season with top-five ART U single-season performances in points (13, 4th), goals (6, t-3rd) and goals per game (0.33, t-3rd). Her career totals in game-winning goals (4, t-1st), points (26, 2nd), goals (11, 2nd), goals per game (0.23, t-3rd) and assists (4, t-5th) are all among the top-five career records for the Urban Knights heading into her senior season.
 
Fillingham was second on the team in points and goals, pairing with Laudat to form the Urban Knights' dynamic scoring duo in 2014. She and Laudat connected together twice on Sept. 17 to help lead ART U to a 3-3 draw versus Cal State East Bay. It was Fillingham's free kick with time winding down in double overtime that led to Laudat's game-winning corner kick goal to beat BYU-Hawaii 1-0 on Oct. 23. Fillingham concluded her career with top-five marks in points (24, 3rd), goals (10, 3rd) and games started (66, 2nd).
 
"I saw a lot of leadership come from our senior class on and off the field this past season and we had a lot of individuals step up in certain areas when we needed them to," said Awerkamp. "One person in particular was Lou, who we will miss in the midfield next year. Lou always played with heart and helped lead this team with a good attitude and strong work ethic."
 
Seniors Sophie Meneses, Rachael Rempe, Marley Sutter and Fillingham all played in their final games as Urban Knights on Nov. 8 versus Notre Dame de Namur, a game in which the visiting Argonauts stole a 2-1 overtime victory in the 95th minute at Skyline College.

The quartet ended their careers having played in a combined 220 games for Academy of Art while tallying 28 total career points. Rempe finished 2014 with 95 saves – fourth-most in a single season at ART U. She left the program with career records in saves (282), goals against average (1.87), wins (13) and shutouts (8), and single-season records in save percentage (.790), goals against average (1.60), wins (7) and shutouts (5), all set in 2012.
 
The Urban Knights also saw plenty of contribution from players who will return. Newcomer Laura Mick started 17 of 18 games and showed her growth at season's end, tallying her first assist and goal in the final two games of the year. Newcomer Marissa Ramirez started all 18 games as part of the Knights' defense. Redshirt junior Caina Field was also one of the Knights' strongest defenders in her first year of action, starting 16 of 17 games played.
 
"Going into this off-season we are looking to get better on the ball individually, getting stronger and fitter as a team and also continuing to build team chemistry on and off the field," said Awerkamp. "We have a lot of potential with the current players we have returning next fall and also the 2015 (recruiting) class we are bringing in.
 
"Right now we know as a group that what we put into this off-season is going to give us momentum going into the 2015 season. We are excited to get started and we look forward to the uphill progress of this program."