Box Score Chico, CA — Tough, physical defense was the name of the game Saturday night at University Soccer Field, as the Academy of Art University men's soccer team fought off 16 shots and made four saves against host Chico State, but the Wildcats were able to get two shots through, one in the first half and one in the second, to come away with a 2-0 win.
 
Chico State (2-0-1) also played stout defense, holding the Urban Knights (1-2) to eight total shots – two in the second half – and one shot on goal. The Wildcats outshot ART U in the second half 11-2 but were only able to score one goal in the 83rd minute to all but ice the victory.
 
Junior midfielder Kristof Urbanyi led Academy of Art in shots with three. Freshman goalkeeper Alejandro Escobedo made four saves in his second career start.
 
The Wildcats broke a scoreless tie 31 1/2 minutes into the match when Carter Johnson sent in a shot from 12 yards away after a cross got loose inside the box, beating Escobedo to the left post to make it 1-0.
 
Escobedo made three saves in a matter of 3:45 before the half ended to keep Chico State from scoring again before halftime. It was Urbanyi who ended the half with a shot that went high, keeping the game at 1-0 into the break.
 
A total of 27 fouls and six cards – all issued in the second half – were called in the match. Chico State's second and final goal of the night didn't come until the 83rd minute when Joachim Gasmi tucked in a cross that came from the end line past the left post, making it 2-0.
 
The Urban Knights face another California Collegiate Athletic Association opponent in Humboldt State for a neutral-site contest at 4 p.m. in Chico.