SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art women's soccer returned to San Francisco for their 2016 home opener, but Western Oregon's stingy defense spoiled the party, shutting out ART U 1-0.
 
Defense was indeed at the epicenter of Wednesday's match, as both teams combined for 27 shots, but only managed to find the back of the net once. That goal was not scored until late in the first half: things were tied at zero until the Wolves' Taylor Higa scored an unassisted goal off of a free kick approximately 30 yards out in the 35th minute. The Urban Knights looked to respond as the half drew to a close, but ultimately, their efforts were unsuccessful.
 
ART U came close to finding an equalizer in the second period. In the 68th minute, the Urban Knights found themselves making a run in the attacking third. A high cross was sent the way of redshirt junior defender Mariandrea Otero-Molano who leaped and headed the ball backwards towards the net. The ball spun towards the outreached arms of WOU's keeper, but steamed just over the crossbar. The Urban Knights came alive again in the final 10 minutes however, continuing to attack the back line and holding the ball in the Wolves' backfield. The Knights got off three shots in that time, but each attempt was met by Western Oregon's defense who created a sea of black by crowding the box.
 
"Moving forward, we talked about how we have to come out in the first ten minutes like we did in those last 10," said head coach Katie Awerkamp. "It comes down to which team wants it more."
 
Junior midfielder Aliya Salas led the shooting game for ART U, getting three looks and one on goal. Three Urban Knights got off two shots each, including: Otero-Molano, junior midfielder Laney Haviland, and redshirt sophomore Dani Tellez. Both sophomore goalkeeper Morgan Wirz and junior keeper Maggie Alikpala-Wilson spent 45 minutes in front of the net, recording four saves apiece.
 
Academy of Art returns to action on Sunday, September 11 when they head to Chico State to take on the Wildcats at 11:30 a.m.