PACIFICA, Calif. – On Thursday out at Fairmont Field, Academy of Art University women's soccer hung tough against one of the PacWest's best in Point Loma. A scoreless tie was broken up by a PLNU goal in the 64th minute and that 1-0 score would maintain through a match highlighted by numerous defensive stops.

Eager to take an early advantage, the Sea Lions were whistled for four offside penalties in the first 17 minutes then their initial attempt on goal by Rachel Witz in the 20th minute was saved. Junior midfielder Natalie Gabriel had a look straight on from 15 yards out in the 23rd minute, but it sailed wide.

After sophomore goalkeeper Maggie Alikpala-Wilson and the ART U defense turned away three shots in a five-minute span late in the half, the teams headed into the break still tied 0-0. A free kick by Kaiti Freeberg in the 64th minute was deflected off the Academy of Art defense, setting up a close shot for Witz which she hit for the 1-0 lead.

The Urban Knights would get a chance at the equalizer in the 89th minute when sophomore midfielder Kendall Bozart jump-kicked a shot off a cross in the box, but PLNU goalie Ariel Oriarte was there for the save.

ART U drops to 4-9 overall and 3-5 in conference with Thursday's result. It was the team's fifth one-goal loss of the year and, after three saves, Alikpala-Wilson's fourth consecutive complete game.

For the Sea Lions, now 9-4 overall and 6-2 in PacWest, Witz scored her first goal of the season while Oriarte earned the shutout with a single save.

Academy of Art returns to the pitch to close its homestand this Saturday, Oct. 24 with a noon matchup against No. 23 Azusa Pacific at CCSF.