AZUSA, Calif. – Late comebacks, blackouts, and career-highs: Academy of Art's Thursday night match against Azusa Pacific had it all. However, despite a thrilling, final five minutes of the second half, ART U could not come all the way back from a two-goal deficit, falling 2-1 to APU.
 
In the first half, Azusa Pacific's offense applied an immense amount of pressure while holding the majority of the possession time. Just 20 minutes in, the Cougars led the shot count 6-1, eventually taking 12 in the period. Throughout the half, the Urban Knights' back line looked impressive, denying seven of APU's attempts at the net. ART U's defense held firm until the 35th-minute when the Cougars finally broke through thanks to a free-kick goal by Aleksandar Pumpalovic from 18 yards out.
 
In the second period, Academy of Art managed to create more offensive opportunities, taking five shots compared to one in the first half. Despite holding the possession for a longer period of time, Azusa Pacific continued to apply pressure of their own, eventually taking a 2-0 lead when Callum Wallace tapped in a cross in the 52nd-minute. The Cougars took a total of nine shots in the period, but despite allowing the goal, freshman goalkeeper Kris Jensson and the rest of the ART U defenders were nearly impenetrable.
 
The strong defensive-showing fueled a late run by the Urban Knights in the match's final minutes. After a 17-minute game delay due to several lights becoming extinguished on the field, Academy of Art's offense came alive: with just 5:30 to play, senior forward Alex Walsh crossed to senior midfielder Jonny Navarro in the box who found the back of the net for the team's first goal of the night. The score ignited an ART U frenzy for the remaining minutes as the team put together multiple opportunities. However, unable to score, the scoreboard stood pat and the Urban Knights fell 2-1.   
 
With 10 saves overall, Jensson set a new career-high which is also tied for the fourth-best mark in program history. It is also the most saves in single game by an ART U keeper since November 7, 2015 when current junior goalkeeper Kevin Mendez collected 11 against California Baptist University as a freshman.

Navarro's goal in the 85th-minute is his second of the season after scoring his first on October 19 at Fresno Pacific. Beyond the goal, the Fresno, Calif. native led the team with four of the team's six shots overall.
 
Academy of Art will play one more match in southern California before returning home: on Saturday, October 28, the Urban Knights will face No. 4 California Baptist at 3:00 p.m.