SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – A goal just three minutes into the match against UC Santa Cruz gave a nice jumpstart to the Academy of Art women's soccer team, but unfortunately ART U could not counter three consecutive opposing goals as the Banana Slugs put the game away by a 3-1 final on Saturday. 

Nabbing the first goal of the season for the Urban Knights (0-2-0) was redshirt sophomore forward Hannah Moore, doing so in unassisted fashion and giving ART U its first lead on the scoreboard this season. It was a play that emphasized hustle, as Moore was able to challenge the goalkeeper with action inside the box before getting her foot on an attempted clearance from the UC Santa Cruz (1-0-0) goalkeeper resulting in the ball crossing the goal line. 

However, that lead would only last until the 14th minute as the Banana Slugs knotted the action with a goal from Bronwyn Eyre, as she finished a ball on the half volley from the right wing thanks to an assist Tatiana Hernandez. Moore would once again threaten with a shot just minutes later, but could not find the target as it sailed wide to the right.

That chance would prove to be crucial, as the UC Santa Cruz would pull in front later during the 42nd minute on a headed goal from Alexia Santos at the edge of the six-foot box after a corner kick, with a pair of assists credited to Hernandez and Celine Ertekin. Just minutes later in the 44th, Angela Bradbury would launch a shot from straight outside the box that resulted in an insurance goal and a 3-1 Banana Slugs lead. 

Offense would slow for both teams in the second half, with the score holding firm as neither team could find the back of the net from that point forward. Despite the loss, ART U goalkeeper Alicia Calderon stopped five chances on 23 shots faced, giving her 14 saves through just the first two matches of the campaign. On the offensive side, Moore would be credited with both of the Urban Knights' shots.

It will be another short turnaround for Academy of Art, as the Knights return to the pitch on Tuesday, Aug. 30 for their first home match of 2022 when they take on Sonoma State at Paul Goode Field beginning at 1 p.m.