Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Kier LaCrosse)

Phoenix, AZ -- As they headed to the desert, Academy of Art had defense on their mind, hoping to build off recent efforts and continue their solid defensive play. For the most part, they did, containing the Lopes to only one goal. Unfortunately, that one goal was enough against the Knights, and despite one of the best efforts by ART U all year, they fell to the Antelopes 1-0.

Coming into Thursday's matchup with the Urban Knights (3-7-2, 1-5-2 PWC), Grand Canyon had averaged 2.33 goals per game on the year, including totals of 5, 3, and 4 goals in their last three games. PacWest Player of the Week Marina Nesic, who was tied for the conference lead in points, was out of the lineup, and the Knights were able to hold the Lopes to six shots on goal, five of which were saved by goalkeeper Jessica Bibby.

"A majority of the match was contained to the middle third as we were able to stall their attack to only six shots on frame," head coach Aileen Nasypany said "Bibby wasn't tested as she made solid saves on their long range shots.  We just weren't able to move our possession game into their final third as much as I would have liked. The team and I are looking forward to playing them again this Saturday so we can try a few different strategies in our efforts to find the back of the net."

The Knights were led on defense by senior Olivia Dupon, who is yet another lockdown defender in the back line for the Knights, along with Sophie Meneses and Jasmine Sharp. 

"I believe Dupon was the player of the match for our team," Nasypany said. "I have never seen Olivia more focused and at the top of her game. The leadership she brings to this team is irreplaceable. She is a playmaker in every sense as she makes the players around her better and continues to shutdown opponents game after game."

The Lopes (7-4-2, 6-1-1 PWC) scored in the 59th minute, with Cheyenne Biehl crossing the ball in to Cierra Valdez, who chested it in past Bibby for the decider. Margret Thorolfsdottir and Megan Bucci both had shots near the end of the first half, but both missed wide and the Urban Knights weren't able to capitalize. After the game against Dominican, in which the Knights were fouled 23 times, the Lopes were only called for 10 fouls on Thursday.

According to the Grand Canyon website, Nesic (Koceljeva, Serbia, Nada Dimic Zemun) was in Serbia, where she will play for the "A" national team in its qualifier for the 2013 UEFA Women's European Championship against Slovenia on Saturday. But the Lopes weren't the only team playing on a short roster, as the Knights were without defenders Haily MacDonald and Jessica Madrid, and for 90 minutes only subbed one extra player. 

"We do not depend on one player to make or break our game plan like other teams," Nasypany said. "We were also without one of our top players. Our level of play did not change. I truly believe that is a very important quality in building a championship program. Each player understands her role and I have instilled in them that they each have the potential to impact our team in a positive way every time they get chance to step on the pitch."

Nasypany also praised her team for defying conference expectations, and have hung tough with some of the best teams in the league. They battled PacWest leader at the time Hawaii Pacific to a 3-2 loss, and Thursday's defeat to second-place Grand Canyon has shown the mettle of the Urban Knights against top conference opponents.

"I am so proud of my team right now and their journey this season," Coach Nasypany said. "They continue to raise the bar with every performance. Tonight was no different. We were picked to finish last in the PacWest but I believe my athletes have proved they can battle with the top powerhouses this year. We are generating quality opportunities. As soon as we can master our composure, we will be on the winning side of these close matches."

The Knights will have a chance to come away with a win on Saturday as they face the 'Lopes again in the second game of their two-game stint in Phoenix. Academy of Art currently has three teams trailing them in the standings, and with two games left against those teams (Dominican and Hawaii-Hilo) will have opportunity to further the distance between the preseason predictions and the final standings.