HONOLULU – ART U women's soccer saw its third game-winning goal scored by a different Urban Knight on Thursday in a 2-0 victory over Chaminade. Out at St. Louis Field for a morning kickoff, Academy of Art went ahead on senior midfielder Esme Garner-Purkis' first career goal in the 52nd minute and never looked back, remaining undefeated in Pacific West Conference play.

It was a barrage of shots by the Urban Knights in an aggressive opening 15 minutes. Senior midfielder Réa Laudat took four corner kicks in the first 12 minutes, hit the post with one shot, had one blocked, and sent one wide. Junior Natalie Gabriel took the first attempt on frame in the 24th minute and sophomore midfielder Laney Haviland added one more in the 33rd minute. The header by freshman defender Natalie Rhodes in the 43rd minute was ART U's eighth attempt of the half, but the first period ended scoreless.

"We were being very unselfish and had a lot of opportunities in the first half," said head coach Katie Awerkamp. "It gave us a chance to get into the attacking third and set up our plays."

Early in the second half, Academy of Art finally connected. The 52nd minute saw Gabriel play a cross to the back post where Garner-Purkis found an opening, ran up, and pushed the ball past the keeper from about 10 yards out.

The 1-0 lead turned into 2-0 in the 71st minute when senior midfielder Marissa Ramirez took a ball on the weak side and drove it back towards the goal. The ball found junior defender Laura Mick who challenged the keeper and headed it into a scrum at the net. Haviland and Gabriel were among the individuals there and it was Haviland who pushed the ball in with her thigh. The margin held up the rest of the way and freshman goalkeeper Morgan Wirz continued a great run as PacWest Defender of the Week with her lone save coming in the 90th minute.

"Both goals reflected what we talked about at halftime," said Awerkamp. "What was great about this match was that we fought to the very end. We were hungry and wanted more. It was a good win for us."

Off to the best start in program history, ART U is now 4-4 on the season and 3-0 in PacWest play. Garner-Purkis had the first goal of her career on her lone shot in and Haviland netted her second goal of the season. It was the third consecutive shutout for Wirz who logged a single save in the victory.

Chaminade falls to 1-5 on the year and 0-2 in PacWest. Of the 11 shots the Silverswords took, just one was on goal. Keeper Lauren Ishii finished with six saves and the two goals allowed.

"It was one of the team's goals to have a winning Hawaii roadtrip," said Awerkamp. "I was a little nervous going in, but we've had good balance of school, soccer, and enjoying their time here. We've created a lot of memories and it has been fun."

Academy of Art finishes off its four-part Hawaii roadtrip this Saturday, Oct. 3 with another 12:30 p.m. HT (3:30 p.m. PT) kickoff at UH Hilo.