After a season of development in 2014, Academy of Art Women's Soccer looked to their 2015 campaign for continued growth and success in the PacWest Conference.
 
The Urban Knights had a thrilling start to the year, winning each of their first three PacWest conference matches for the first time in program history.
 
The team arrived in Hawaii hungry for some wins after beginning the season with a 1-4 non-conference record. Facing off against Hawaii Pacific in their first matchup, sophomore midfielder Aliya Salas was able to net a second-half goal after a tightly-played first. ART U was able to hold on for the victory behind freshman goalkeeper Morgan Wirz's first career shutout.
 
Two days later, the Urban Knights faced off with BYU-Hawaii in what would be another close game. Both teams' defensive abilities were on display with one combined shot on goal in the first half. The game would be pushed into two overtimes when sophomore midfielder Kendall Bozart was able to break the deadlock with a goal in the 105^th minute of action, thanks to Salas' assist.
 
After a 2-0 start to the conference schedule, Academy of Art took on Chaminade in Honolulu. The Knights would prevail again, this time after two second-half goals by senior midfielder Esme Garner-Purkis (the first in her career) and sophomore midfielder Laney Haviland. This win improved ART U's record to a program-best 4-4 to begin the season.
 
Academy of Art would surrender their first goal in the Aloha State in their final match, as they fell 2-0 to University of Hawaii at Hilo.
 
"During those three wins in Hawaii, I saw our defense grow as a group and radiate a whole new confidence," said head coach Katie Awerkamp. "The whole team really worked together and we found a rhythm there. I think we learned a lot that week as a group and got really close, which helped us get through the rest of the season as a team."
 
When the Urban Knights returned home, they began a tough second half to the season.
 
They first matched up with Holy Names University where a tightly-played game ended with a 1-0 loss in overtime. This game also had some added signifigance as the Knights teamed up with OutLoud! and the SF LGBT Center to celebrate National Coming Out Day. The players took the field wearing rainbow wristbands while the fans were given rainbow headbands. 

The rest of the season consisted of many challenging opponents with whom ART U stuck with until the final whistle.
 
One such game includes their second-to-last home match versus Concordia University Irvine. After trailing 4-1 in the 67th minute, senior forward Réa Laudat would score in the 79th and 90th minutes to cut the deficit to one goal with 11 seconds remaining. Although the Urban Knights fell to the Eagles, this match was indicative of the team's resiliency and ability to never say "die."
 
When it was all said and done, ART U finished the season 4-13-1 which is their best overall record since going 7-11 during the 2012 season.
 
"This past season we really grew as a group and created a lot more chemistry on and off the field," Awerkamp explained. "That was one of our goals last offseason as a team and the way we responded as a group with how many new faces we brought in in 2015 was exciting to see. Our team really feels like a family and we expect that to continue to help us build this coming offseason."
 
In the stat books, there were a number of Urban Knights who stood out among the others including: Laudat who led the team in points (10), goals (4), and tied with three others for most game-winning goals (1). She was also second in assists (2). Freshman midfielder Alice Michell and junior defender Laura Mick were both tied with one other player for second-most points (5) and tied with two others for second-most goals (2).
 
Laudat was one of five seniors to finish their career with the ART U this season. Her fellow seniors include: defender Marissa Ramirez, midfielder Brooke Stewart, Garner-Purkis, and defender Caina Field.
 
When asked about her athletes' contributions this season, Awerkamp said that "it was exciting to see us have more people step up this season whether it was a returner or a newcomer. We had a lot more players put numbers up on the board and contribute. We had quite a few newcomers contribute a lot of minutes which is exciting and something we can continue to build off of."
 
After a season with two differing halves, the Urban Knights will look to continue building off of their progression in the 2016 season.
 
"We are hungry and wanting to continue to change," Awerkamp concluded. "With the talent we are bringing back and new talent we are bringing in, I am excited to see what unfolds for this current group next fall."