Box Score
San Francisco, Calif. (11/7/2008)-- The Urban Knights Men's Soccer team took on the University of San Francisco Men's squad at Negoesco Field in an exciting Friday night contest. What many thought would have been a rout by the six-time National Champion USF Dons turned into what has to be considered possibly the best performance by Academy of Art University all year. AAU dropped the match 2-0, but the strategy by Head Coach Daniel Rosaia and its execution caught USF off guard.
"Coach Rosaia implemented a simple approach to the game,” said Assistant Coach Kier LaCrosse. “That was to be tight on defense, let USF play side to side and then counter attack when the time was appropriate.”
USF fielded an international line-up which included very talented players from Sweden (2), Japan, Jamaica, Canada, Columbia, Spain and USA. The Dons played a pretty game of soccer at times, but it was obvious that the USF squad was frustrated as AAU made it very difficult for USF to get into any real strong scoring positions. It wasn't until the 24th minute when the Dons' Conor Chinn netted their sole goal of the first half.
All Academy of Art University players turned in outstanding performances in the season finale. AAU sophomore goalie Jose Herrera had 10 saves in the match as “he was just fantastic,” Coach Rosaia stated. Freshman midfielder Miquel Amezquita and junior midfielder Jamie Patino-Calvo both had an amazing match as they cut off many USF attacking attempts and held strong the whole time. Freshman defender Isreal Nevarez and senior defender Adam Hiler also shut down the speedy USF wingers.
The second half was a bit different as AAU did open up and attack. Urban Knights leading-scorer freshman forward Emmanual Onywera entered the game midway through the second half and made a few dangerous runs at goal. Hampered with a hamstring issue for the past six matches, Onywera was pulled off the field by Coach Rosaia so as not to risk potential injury after Onywera seemed to be favoring his leg.
USF scored their lone goal of the second half in the 64th minute. The ball was loose on the AAU six-yard line and was pushed across the line by USF's Felipe Cabrera for his first goal of the year. Shortly after the goal, AAU senior defender Jared Spires almost made it 2-1 as he unloaded a shot from 35 yards out that just missed the target and surprised the USF keeper. The match would eventually end 2-0 in favor of the Dons.
USF now continues its run for the conference championship while the AAU Urban Knights end their inaugural season with five wins, eight losses, and four ties.
The AAU squad says goodbye to two seniors, defensive standout Adam Hiler and captain Jared Spires, as they become the first Academy of Art University Men's Soccer alumni in school history. All AAU players saw playing time against USF as Coach Rosaia made a concerted effort to make sure everyone played in this historic match.
Coach Rosaia and Assistant Coach Kier LaCrosse both agree that Urban Knight Men's Soccer program is now “on the map” and ”here to stay.”
