2016 Men's Soccer Schedule
 
SAN FRANCISCO – The Academy of Art men's soccer program sets out on another campaign in 2016, highlighted by formidable PacWest/non-conference opponents and their second consecutive hosting of a tournament.
 
ART U opens up the season on September 2 against a familiar Cal State East Bay. The Knights are 2-0-1 all-time against the Pioneers, winning their last match by a score of 2-1 in a 2015 overtime thriller.
 
ART U then returns home for the Golden Gate Classic, marking the program's second time hosting a tournament. This year's tourney will also mark the christening of Beach Chalet, the 2016 home of Academy of Art men's and women's soccer.
 
"We're really excited to host our matches at Beach Chalet," said head coach Mike Keller. "It is a brand new field and is situated just steps from Ocean Beach, making it a great location for the fans."
 
In the Golden Gate Classic, the Knights' opponents will include the likes of Stanislaus State and San Francisco State. In last year's competition (previously named the Kezar Classic), ART U came out on top of a 1-0 overtime thriller against SF State to win the tournament and maintain their perfect, 2-0 overall record against the gators.
 
After the classic, the Urban Knight will get a chance for two more tune up matches against Cal State Monterey Bay and Concordia (Ore.) before heading into the PacWest portion of the season. The match with Concordia will be the program's first against the Cavaliers, who recently joined the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
 
"We are always trying to play the best teams we can each year to test ourselves and get ready for a tough conference," said Keller of the non-conference schedule. "Playing good teams and local rivalries is a big part of that."  
 
Academy of Art's first conference match will come against BYU-Hawaii to begin a series of three consecutive home games against Hawaiian PacWest teams. In 2015, men's soccer enjoyed success in their trip to Hawaii, returning home with a 3-1 record, defeating BYU-Hawaii, Chaminade, and UH Hilo all by a score of 2-1.
 
After their five-game home stand, the Urban Knights will hit the road with three different stops. The first will come across the bridge with Holy Names and two more will follow in southern California with a Thursday/Saturday weekend series against Point Loma and Azusa Pacific.
 
Upon their return, ART U will play their first of just three remaining home games, taking on rival Dominican. The Urban Knights hold a 7-5 all-time lead in the 12 matches played between the two schools and also took their previous matchup last Halloween by a 2-1 margin.
 
After a pair of games on the road against Fresno Pacific and Dixie State, Academy of Art will return home for their final home stand with games featuring Notre Dame de Namur and Hawaii Pacific.
 
The Knights will then conclude their 2016 season against the same two opponents with which they finished their 2015 campaign: California Baptist and Concordia (Calif.).
 
"We are always looking to achieve the best we can and putting ourselves in position to win trophies is our mission," said Keller. "We have definitely gotten more consistent over the last three years and I believe we have the players to reach the next challenge."