Match #7
ART U Urban Knights (2-4, 1-1 PWC) vs. Dixie State Red Storm (1-5, 0-2 PWC)
Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 11:00 AM
San Francisco, CA – Crocker Amazon Park
Twitter Updates

Match #8
ART U Urban Knights (2-4, 1-1 PWC) vs. Grand Canyon Antelopes (4-2, 1-1 PWC)
Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 12:00 PM
San Francisco, CA – CCSF
Twitter Updates

KNIGHTS FACE FAMILIAR FOES IN RED STORM, ANTELOPES
In the midst of their extended homestand, the Academy of Art University men's soccer team will continue its rivalry with both Dixie State and Grand Canyon this week. The Urban Knights come off an opening week of Pacific West Conference action in which ART U overcame Azusa Pacific 2-1 and was edged by Point Loma 3-2.

OPENING KICKOFF
Starting off the week against Dixie State College, the Knights and Red Storm face off Thursday, Sept. 20 at Crocker Amazon Park with kickoff set for 11:00 AM. On Saturday, Sept. 22, the Antelopes of Grand Canyon University will square off against ART U at City College of San Francisco at 12:00 PM. Remember to check the @ARTU_Knights Twitter for score updates, videos, and recaps.

KNIGHT WATCH
In a united effort, a total of nine Urban Knights have been involved in seven Academy of Art University goals whether it be as the scorer or assistor. After scoring against Azusa Pacific, freshman Jesus "Chava" Sanchez is the lone ART U player with two goals to his name while sophomore forward Jonmundur Gretarsson's two assists came in that same victory. Senior Grimur Grimsson, who had the dramatic game-winner against SF State and an assist last week, has continued to build upon his status as the all-time career points leader (28) for his ART U. With 189 saves for his career, senior goalkeeper Ian Sutherland remains atop the all-time leaders list and has averaged over 5.0 saves per game this year.

STORM'S A COMIN'
Since the Red Storm's season-opening 2-1 victory over #8 Cal State Los Angeles, Dixie State has faced a tough stretch with five consecutive losses. However, four of those have been of by a one-goal difference and one was a 1-0 result to #11 Seattle Pacific in overtime. Most recently in the start of PacWest play, DSC has sustained a 2-1 loss to Notre Dame de Namur (Sept. 15) and a 2-0 loss to Dominican (Sept. 17). This year, the Red Storm were picked to finish seventh in the PacWest coaches' preseason poll. Offensively, Dixie State has had three goal scorers, Michael Roelato, Garrett Garcia, and David Stirland, who each have one apiece. Thus far, all but 43 of DSC's 542 minutes in goal have been served by Tyler Walters who has 31 saves and is looking for his first win of the year. The Red Storm hold a 3-2 advantage over ART U in what has been a close series all-time.

ANTELOPES ON A GRAND STAGE
Ranked #10 nationally and #2 in the West Region in the most recent NSCAA poll, Grand Canyon began the season with three victories (2-0 over Colorado-Pueblo, 2-1 over Sonoma State, 3-2 over Fort Lewis). The Antelopes sustained a 2-1 loss to Seattle Pacific before starting PacWest play with a 4-0 defeat of Fresno Pacific. Most recently, GCU was topped by NDNU 3-1 on Sept. 17. A powerhouse of a soccer program, it comes as no surprise that Grand Canyon was chosen first overall in the conference's preseason coaches' poll, tied with California Baptist. PacWest Preseason player of the Year Saeed Robinson has lived up to the hype, scoring four goals (one game-winner) and delivering three assists to this point. Defensively, Josha Zehring has logged over 487 minutes in the 'Lopes' goal, amassing 13 saves and posting a 1.11 goals against average. GCU travels to Holy Names Thursday prior to facing the Urban Knights on Saturday.

THE WEEK THAT WAS
In an exciting start to PacWest play, the Urban Knights defeated Azusa Pacific 2-1 this past Thursday with two second-half goals. Heinemann (48') and Sanchez (67') each found the back of the net before the Cougars could score and Gretarsson provided assists on both. Sutherland added some key stops particularly early in the second half and late in the contest to give ART U the cushion it needed to pull off a huge victory over an Azusa Pacific team who carry a strong winning tradition.

The PacWest action continued on Saturday where the Knights were locked into another close battle with another conference newcomer Point Loma. Despite PLNU's 3-0 lead in the 51st minute, Academy of Art University rallied back with an unassisted goal from Kristof Urbanyi in the 62nd minute and later a header goal by Gretarsson with the pass from Grimsson in the 68th minute. In the end, the Sea Lions managed to outlast the ART U comeback and came away with the 3-2 win.

LOOKING AHEAD
The final two matches of ART U's eight-match homestand take place next week with Dominican (Sept. 27) and Holy Names (Sept. 29) coming to town.  The Knights then have a four-match roadtrip before returning home for their Senior Day on Oct. 26.