GAME #4
ART U Urban Knights (1-2) vs. Dixie State College (0-3)
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010 at 12:30 PM
San Francisco, CA - Boxer Stadium
GAME #5
ART U Urban Knights (1-2) vs. Grand Canyon Antelopes (1-0-1)
Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010 at 2:00 PM
San Francisco, CA - Boxer Stadium
Game Notes
HOME AT LAST:
The Academy of Art University men's soccer team takes momentum from its thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against Menlo into this week's Pacific West Conference opener. This Thursday, the Urban Knights kick off against Dixie State, whom ART U defeated at home last season, followed by a matchup with Grand Canyon also at Boxer Stadium this Saturday.
OPENING KICKOFF:
Beginning with Dixie State this Thursday, Sept. 16, ART U takes the plunge into its second full season of PacWest play. The match is set to start at 12:30 PM inside Boxer Stadium. Two days later on Saturday, Sept. 18, the Knights play host to Grand Canyon at 2:00 PM. This match is part of Urban Knights Welcome Weekend.
See the Facebook Event for details.
KNIGHT WATCH:
With the Academy of Art University offense exploding for three goals against Menlo, freshman forward Grimur Grimsson and junior midfielder Richard Luna begin PacWest action as the Knights to watch. Grimsson netted two goals in only his second match at ART U including a game-winner in overtime. Versus the Oaks, Luna scored one goal and assisted Grimsson's first score. The pair has combined to take 11 of the ART U's 40 shots. Junior goalkeeper Daniel Waller made his presence felt in the Menlo match as well with three saves and an assist on the final goal by way of a nearly field-length punt. Waller leads the team with eight saves in nearly 192 minutes.
SCOUTING THE RED STORM:
Dixie State, the seventh place finisher in the PacWest standings last year, has begun its 2010 campaign with tough defeats at the hands of Saint Martin's, Montana State-Billings, and Mesa State. The Red Storm are looking for their first goal of the season though midfielder Nyle Ortiz currently leads the team with seven shots. Forward Jordan Roylance, a starter in all three matches and the team's goal leader last season, has registered three shots on goal in his four attempts. Between the pipes, Dixie State's Tyler Walters has 10 saves with five goals allowed in 225 minutes thus far.
SCOUTING THE ANTELOPES:
At the end of 2010, it was Grand Canyon who stood atop the PacWest standings. Despite their impressive 11-1-2 record in conference, ART U pushed the 'Lopes to the limit in a hard-fought overtime match at Boxer Stadium last season. Forward Kyle Ciliento, the team's current top goal scorer (3), assisted the game-winning goal in that match and after a successful freshman season, he has been selected as the 2010 PacWest Preseason Player of the Year. For a GCU team that tied Montana State-Billings 1-1 and topped Saint Martin's 3-1, junior midfielder Mitchell Garcia has the only other 'Lopes goal this season. Grand Canyon will open PacWest play against Dominican on Sept. 16 before facing Academy of Art University.
THE WEEK THAT WAS:
In what could be considered the most riveting overtime match in Academy of Art University men's soccer program history, the Urban Knights triumphed over Menlo College 3-2 on Sept. 9. Early in the match it was Grimsson who put ART U ahead with his chip shot over the goalie in the 23rd minute. The 1-0 lead remained through the first half and in the second, Luna pushed the advantage by adding another goal in the 71st minute. In a dramatic turn of events, the Oaks responded with two goals late in the match to send it into overtime. Though Menlo may have been riding the momentum of its comeback, an incredible sequence unfolded where Waller punted the ball downfield to Grimsson who sent it over the diving keeper and just into the top right corner of the goal. Academy of Art University won its first match of 2010 in unforgettable fashion.
MOVING FORWARD:
After concluding this week, the Urban Knights play one more match at home before heading to Hawaii for a five-match roadtrip. At Boxer Stadium on Sept. 22, ART U faces Hawaii-Hilo with kickoff set for 11:00 AM. The extended trip to the islands pits Academy of Art University against Hawaii Pacific, BYU-Hawaii, Hawaii-Hilo, and twice at Chaminade.
