SAN RAFAEL, CALIF. – Although the weather predicted for an overcast afternoon, nothing could rain on Academy of Art women's soccer's senior day celebration. In a pregame ceremony, each of ART U's six seniors were recognized in front of friends, family, and fans at Kennelly Field. Once the whistle blew however, it was back to work for the Urban Knights in a game that nearly saw overtime. Nonetheless, Dominican (5-4-4, 4-2-2 PacWest) outdueled Academy of Art (1-10-1, 1-5-1 PacWest) 2-0 after a pair of late goals.
 

The Urban Knights came out of the gate with an offensive mindset, taking four of the game's first six shots. Redshirt junior defender Mariandrea Otero-Molano headed one on frame in the 27th-minute outside the reach of the goalkeeper, but a Penguins defender was able to intercept the attempt to keep the score knotted at zero. Dominican took seven shots of their own in the opening period, but were unsuccessful as their four on goal were each saved by sophomore keeper Morgan Wirz.
 
ART U's defense ruled the majority of the second half as well. The Penguins amassed 15 shots (five on goal) and the Urban Knights did well to keep them off the board until the 82nd-minute. Stephanie Pawek kicked in a corner from the near side and Mariah Meza crashed the net and reached the ball just in time to head it into the right corner of the goal.  Just 94 seconds later, the match seemed to replay itself as Pawek served another corner kick to Meza who headed it in once again to give Dominican a 2-0 lead. Despite an effort to get on the board in the final seven minutes, Academy of ART U could not prevail, falling two goals to none.
 
The Urban Knights totaled seven shots on the afternoon with five starters getting at least one look at the net. Otero-Molano led the team with two shots and one on goal.
 
ART U will now head back on the road, facing Fresno Pacific on Wednesday and Dixie State on Saturday.