SAN FRANCISCO – The Urban Knights fought valiantly, but fell 6-0 to No. 3 Azusa Pacific on Thursday afternoon at Paul Goode Field. 

The undefeated Cougars struck first in the sixth minute when Bruno Pagani received a cross on the ground and one touched a shot to the left side of the net. James Ndubueze claimed the next APU goal in the 22nd by slotting a lobbed-in cross between the left post and the ART U goalkeeper. Academy of Art dug-in and played solid defense the remainder of the half, anchored by junior defender Armando Rivera making his debut, to go into the halftime breather down 2-0. 

Ndubueze recorded his second goal of the match in the 56th minute by tapping a through ball he received just outside the goal box, to the far right corner, for a 3-0 APU lead. From there, the Cougars added on three more goals. The Urban Knights's best opportunity came in the 72nd minute when senior forward Andrew Deans received a cross inside the penalty box. Deans chested the pass then struck the ball with his right foot, but it sprayed just wide. 

After the loss, Academy of Art falls to 0-7 overall and 0-2 in conference. ART U will look to bounce back next Thursday, Oct. 10, when they take on the Eagles of Concordia starting at 1 p.m. at Paul Goode Field.