PacWest Conference Weekly Awards (Sept. 28)

IRVINE, Calif. — Despite wet and mucky conditions in Hawaii, freshman goalkeeper Morgan Wirz posted her first collegiate clean sheet in a 1-0 win for ART U women's soccer and was named Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week for the week of Sept. 21-27, as announced by the conference Monday.

"In my mind I knew that it was going to be a good match," said Wirz. "There were good vibes all around the team and everyone helped fight for our shutout. It was such an exciting experience."

Battling Hawaii Pacific on Sept. 26 in the first of four matches Academy of Art will play on the islands, Wirz began by stopping a pair of Sharks shots on frame in a scoreless first half. After the Urban Knights were boosted by a goal from sophomore midfielder Aliya Salas early in the first half and conditions became wet and slippery out at Atherton Field, Wirz proceeded to amass seven of her season-high nine total saves in the second period to pick up her first win as a collegiate goalkeeper.

"Morgan came up huge and that's a confidence builder for our back line," said head coach Katie Awerkamp. "We've been trying to find flow back there so what a huge day for her and the defense. We're happy with the way we played." The Urban Knights next face Cal State East Bay on the road Tuesday before opening PacWest play on Sept. 26 in Hawaii.

This is the first PacWest weekly honor for Wirz in her career. Academy of Art is back on the field today at 3:30 p.m. PT when they face BYU-Hawaii