Box Score
Photo Gallery (images by Ian Sutherland)

San Francisco, CA – Despite an early downpour Saturday, the weather permitted Academy of Art University men's soccer to lock into a true battle with Azusa Pacific out at City College of San Francisco. The Urban Knights out-shot their Pacific West Conference opponent 14-11 and had several close chances to score in 90 minutes, but the Cougars ended up prevailing 1-0 thanks to a first half goal.

"The guys put in a really good effort today and we are proud of how we played this week," head coach Mike Keller said. "We feel like we are equal to any team on our day and still have room to improve which is a great feeling."

The teams traded shot opportunities in the early going with junior Jonmundur Gretarsson and senior Carlos Hernandez putting forth attempts. Freshman goalkeeper Luca Theis made his first save in the seventh minute, but the next shot he faced ended up being crucial. In the 36th minute, Azusa Pacific's Oktay Bulut slipped a nifty back heel pass to Keenan Armbrust on the left side for a shot across the box and into the net.

That chance was soon countered by ART U with senior Leonardo Bartelle's rebuttal 15 seconds later which was just saved by APU keeper Jeff Dunn. After Theis saved a header by Daniel Stratton in the 41st minute, Academy of Art would enter halftime trailing the Cougars 1-0.

Starting the second half, two quick shots by Raul Martinez were answered by a pair from William "Willy" Velasco Villa, but the score remained unchanged. Junior Malcolm McLellan put the ball on frame from about 35 yards out in the 66th minute, but it too was saved. At 81 minutes in, sophomore Kristof Urbanyi emerged with a scoring chance only to have it also stopped by Dunn.

With their backs against the wall, the Urban Knights saw Urbanyi return for a free kick with 14 seconds left, but Dunn was there for the save and ultimately secured the win for Azusa Pacific.

ART U ended up having six shots on goal in the match with two coming from Urbanyi. McLellan, Bartelle, Velasco Villa, and Patrick Heinemann added attempts as well for an Academy of Art squad that now sports a 3-3 overall record and is 1-1 in PacWest play. After just one save in each of his previous three starts, Theis was tested five times on Saturday, finishing with four saves and one goal allowed in a complete 90 minutes.

Azusa Pacific (5-2 overall, 2-0 PacWest) had its lone goal of the match scored by Armbrust with Bulut providing the assist. Dunn, in his first action of the year, registered six saves in his 90-minute shutout.

Though the Knights will next be on the road, they will not go far as a match at Notre Dame de Namur's Koret Field comes up on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1:30 PM.

"NDNU will be a very tough opponent and we will need to prepare as best we can," Coach Keller said.