LACEY, Wash. -- Academy of Art University women's soccer earned their first victory of the season in an impressive showing on both sides of the ball. The Urban Knights put up two goals while holding SMU to a scoreless 90 minutes on the heels of senior goalkeeper Morgan Wirz, who collected six saves on the day.

From the first whistle ART U aggressively moved the ball up the field and was awarded a corner kick in the first minute of play. After this initial offensive attack, Saint Martin's controlled the ball for the next 20 minutes of play. They put a pair of shots on goal, but both were saved by Wirz.

"They had a stretch in the half where we were really on our heels," said head coach Chris King. "But we battled through and found a little more rhythm as we got fresh legs off the bench."

After a couple of substitutions the Urban Knights were right back on the attack. Junior forward Anissa Wilson led the offensive, when in the 35th minute she intercepted the ball at the top of the box and drilled a shot past the keeper for Academy of Art's first goal of the year. This was also the Fresno City College transfer's first goal of her career at Academy of Art. Coach King is hopeful that it will be, "the first of many."

The second half of play started much like the first, with the Saints aggressively taking shots, but being thwarted by solid defensive play and saves by Wirz. Wilson would have another opportunity in the 58th minute when she put her third shot on goal that was saved by Ali Koehler. She would end the game with four total shots, all of them on goal.

The Urban Knights would put the game out of reach in the 88th minute. Wilson's final shot on goal ricocheted to the feet of sophomore midfielder Sydney Cooke who dribbled the ball up the line, beat a defender, and crossed a perfect ball to senior midfielder Alice Michell who was crashing the net. Michell made a superb touch on the ball and found the back of the net to solidify the victory for ART U.

"Great work from returners Sydney and Alice to ice the game late with our second goal," said coach King. "Very rewarding win for our team especially against a team that is well coached and has some talented offensive players."

This is the first time the Saints have been shut out on the year. In fact, SMU has put up an astounding seven goals in only two games prior to their meeting with Academy of Art.

With this win, ART U moves to an even 1-1. The team will continue their road-trip south, and take on Western Oregon Saturday, Sept. 8 at 11:30 a.m.