Box Score
Photo Gallery (images by Meg Williams & Kier LaCrosse)
San Francisco, CA -- After an intense three periods of scoreless soccer, Academy of Art University took a difficult 1-0 loss to Menlo College on an Oaks goal in the 106th minute. The Urban Knights had several opportunities to snag the first goal of the afternoon and effectively out-shot Menlo 11-7 in the second period and overtime, but the Oaks converted a free kick close to box for the victory.
“I felt like the team played pretty balanced soccer today,” Head Coach Daniel Rosaia said. “They played well and went to goal well; we just didn't capitalize on some opportunities. I thought we were a little bit complacent as a team and we needed a little more intensity to finish the game. At the end of the day, it's just one more building block so we're trying to learn from it and get better for the season.”
Though the visitors had the lion's share of their scoring chances in the first period, ART U still held strong and did not allow a goal. Following a series of Menlo corner kicks and shot attempts which came after the 30-minute mark, the Knights responded with an exciting sequence where freshman forward Frederick Nagel broke away from the defense and was essentially one-on-one with the Oaks' goalkeeper. He had enough time to guide a shot towards the goal in that 34th minute, but the goalie was close enough to make the save. The physical first half came to an end not long after with both teams deadlocked at 0-0.
“I think our defense is strong,” Coach Rosaia said. “They're a good group of guys coming together and bonding. I think the rest of the team has to step up to the plate and help those guys in the back put it together.”
Though neither team managed to break the scoreless tie in the second period, Academy of Art was repeatedly on the offensive. The Knights nearly netted a goal twice during a six-minute span midway through the half. Junior forward
Grimur Grimsson, less than a week removed from his heroic goal against The College of Idaho, had both attempts. His first came in the box off a strategic pass from sophomore midfielder
Patrick Heinemann and the second was just wide after a breakaway.
The teams would each hold the line for the remainder of the period and then it was ART U who had the only shot attempt by either squad in the first overtime. More time was needed to settle the contest, however, as no shots had been converted. Midway through the second overtime, an Academy of Art foul just outside the box enabled Menlo's Robbie Rix to take a free kick in the 106th minute. He managed to put the ball into the net and ultimately settle the match 1-0 in favor of the Oaks.
Five different Urban Knights posted shots on goal in the match with a pair from Nagel leading the way. Freshman
Jacob Baumann played all 106:38 between the pipes, finishing with six saves. ART U completes its non-conference season with a 1-3 record.
Connecting on the long goal for Menlo was Robbie Rix. Ricardo Urruela added a pair of shots on goal. Defensively, goalkeeper Alex Palmorez earned the shutout with six saves in a complete game. The Oaks move to 2-2 overall this year.
The Urban Knights kickoff Pacific West Conference play next with a match against new conference member California Baptist on Sept. 17. ART U will travel to Riverside, CA for that contest which is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM following the women's match.
