SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art University women's soccer battled No. 23 Azusa Pacific for 36 scoreless minutes on Saturday out at CCSF, but a 1-0 halftime lead for the Cougars turned into a 2-0 victory for the visitors despite ART U's defensive focus.

The Urban Knights seemed to control the pace of the match in the early going and senior forward Réa Laudat was almost rewarded for her chance on frame in the 12th minute. A save kept things scoreless before the Cougars began to shift the momentum. After four stops by freshman Maggie Alikpala-Wilson, APU got one by on Haley Fisher's shot via a through ball in the 38th minute.

Azusa Pacific maintained that 1-0 advantage into the second half and continued to push ART U defensively. The Knights refused to budge on numerous occasions as Alikpala-Wilson notched save after save. In the 79th minute, Haley Williamson put a quick touch on a cross by Mayra Almazan and Cara Scammon finished the opportunity for a 2-0 lead. Though junior defender Laura Mick put up a shot on goal shortly thereafter, the Cougars held on for the win.

ART U is now 4-10 overall and 3-6 in PacWest play. Despite the two goals allowed, Alikpala-Wilson finished with a new career-high 11 saves in a complete 90 minutes.

The win keeps Azusa Pacific in contention for the PacWest regular season title as their record rises to 11-2 overall and 7-2 in conference play. Fisher's goal was her first of the season while Scammon netted her second this year. Goalkeeper Sarah Klinkenberg registered a three-save shutout.

With its five-part homestand complete, Academy of Art now heads out on the road for a pair of matches next week. The Knights begin at Notre Dame de Namur on Thursday, Oct. 29 and play their final road contest on Saturday, Oct. 31.