LAIE, Hawaii – Bouncing back from the weekend's Pacific West Conference opener, Academy of Art University men's soccer showed a true will to win on Monday at BYU-Hawaii Soccer Field. Though the Seasiders came back to tie the match after ART U's early advantage, sophomore midfielder Jón Jóhannesson found senior midfielder Kristof Urbanyi for the game-winning goal in the 60th minute and the Urban Knights held tough for their first conference victory 2-1.

"I feel great for the team," said head coach Mike Keller. "We scored two good goals and did a lot of gritty team defending today. The guys showed good progression for themselves from coming off a tough defeat and then staying focused in another tough road environment."

Though BYUH attempted numerous corner kicks early in the match, it seemed as though Academy of Art had the better looks on frame to start. Both junior midfielder Justin Erhunmwunsee and freshman midfielder Jordan Seech had shots saved in the first 25 minutes, however, it wasn't until late in the half that ART U got on the scoreboard. In the 41st minute, sophomore forward Alex Walsh moved past his defender at the top of the box and sent the ball inside the far post to gain momentum for the visitors.

Following halftime, the Seasiders provided the equalizer in the 50th minute when Jacob McRae scored a penalty kick goal to the bottom right corner. Both freshman goalkeeper Kevin Mendez and BYUH's Jade Eppelette would make saves before Urbanyi received a cross from Johannesson, sealed his defender with a turn, and hit the back post for a 2-1 lead. The match reached a heightened level of physicality the rest of the way, but the Urban Knights held on for the win.

ART U rises to 3-2-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The goal for Urbanyi was his team-best fourth of the season and his second game-winner of the year. He now needs just one more game-winning goal to tie the legendary Grimur Grimsson for the program record (7). It was Walsh's second goal of the season and Johannesson's second career assist. Mendez earned the victory between the pipes with one goal allowed and three saves.

BYU-Hawaii becomes 2-3 overall and 0-1 in PacWest action. They had one goal from McRae while goalkeeper Jaden Epplette offered three saves with two goals allowed in 90 minutes.

Academy of Art looks ahead to Thursday, Oct. 1 for its next match on the islands. The Urban Knights clash with Chaminade at St. Louis Field, kicking off at 12:30 p.m. HT (3:30 p.m. PT) following the women's match.