PACIFICA, Calif. – The aggressors in the first half, Academy of Art University women's soccer found itself within striking distance late, but Fresno Pacific managed to outlast the Urban Knights 2-1. Despite trailing 2-0, freshman defender Natalie Rhodes hit the back of the net in the 86th minute. Unfortunately, ART U did not have enough time for the equalizer in the final minutes out at Fairmont Field on Wednesday.

"This was another match where we created and had a lot of chances, but still struggled to finish," said head coach Katie Awerkamp. "I'm happy with the way our midfield is combining and getting forward. Defensively, we had a few breakdowns and we need to continue to work on reading and adjusting to how teams are playing. Overall we are continuing to grow as a group and improving in a lot of areas."

Though Academy of Art had four of the first five shots on goal, it was Fresno Pacific's Alyssa Nakaguchi who scored first in the 29th minute, receiving the ball from the left side, dribbling past the goalkeeper, and finishing into the net. Opportunities continued to present themselves for the Knights as sophomore defender Laney Haviland sent along three corner kicks before halftime, but the score remained 1-0 FPU at the break.

In the 54th minute early in the second half, the Sunbirds struck again with Hannah Coyle scoring off Taelor Williams' pass to the far post. Sophomore goalkeeper Maggie Alikpala-Wilson continued to make numerous quality saves including two within an 11-second span late before Rhodes broke through in the 86th minute to shorten the gap. Sophomore midfielder Kendall Bozart had the initial look then Rhodes followed up for the goal from 10 yards out straight on. It came too little too late as Fresno Pacific stayed up 2-1 for the final four minutes.

Academy of Art becomes 4-7 overall and 3-3 in PacWest play with the day's result. For Rhodes, it was the second goal of her collegiate career while Bozart picks up her second assist of the year. Alikpala-Wilson posted a career-high 10 saves with the two goals allowed in 90 minutes between the pipes.

Fresno Pacific improves to 6-4-1 on the season and 4-2-1 in conference play. Nakaguchi and Coyle each had their respective second goals of the year and goalkeeper Selena Braun finished with seven saves and the one goal allowed in her complete 90 minutes.

ART U now looks ahead to a matchup hosting Dixie State at City College of San Francisco this Saturday, Oct. 17 at noon.