SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – With less than nine minutes remaining in regulation, Academy of Art women's soccer's bid for their first win of 2017 was erased thanks to a late goal by UC Santa Cruz. After the 19 minutes and 41 seconds of grueling overtime that ensued, the Banana Slugs scored once more in a desperate attempt with 19 seconds remaining, edging ART U by a score of 2-1.
 
The story of Tuesday's battle in Santa Cruz came down to defense: the Urban Knights did not allow UCSC to break their back line until there was a mere 8:30 remaining in the match. Heading into overtime, ART U continued to remain impenetrable, save for a final shot from 40 yards out that found the net. Furthermore, the Knights' back line held the Banana Slugs to fewer shots at each break in the game including a final shot differential of 14-12.
 
Academy of Art also managed to hold a 1-0 lead for the majority of the contest after freshman midfielder Sydney Cooke scored her first collegiate goal in the 20th-minute. Senior midfielder Abigail Chavez provided the assist, giving her a team-leading three points on the season. The Urban Knights had several more attempts over the course of the match to add some insurance including a header by freshman forward Alyssa Rasmussen in the 70th-minute that was saved by UCSC. Nonetheless, ART U could not add on despite four shots on-goal.  
 
Cooke led the way for ART U with five of the team's 14 attempts while junior midfielder Alice Michell contributed three of her own.
 
The Urban Knights will now head to the Aloha State where they will face all three Hawaiian PacWest-foes: UH Hilo, Chaminade, and Hawaii Pacific.