SAN FRANCISCO – Following a breakout season in 2018 in which Academy of Art women's soccer set the single-season wins record, the Urban Knights head into their 2019 campaign with high hopes. With valuable returners and key recruits, the team looks poised for an even better year under third-year head coach Chris King.

Academy of Art women's soccer finished their historic 2018 season with eight wins, the most in program history and two more than the past three years combined. The historic season also saw the longest winning streak in women's soccer program history, a 5-0 run in which ART U outscored opponents 20-2. For a more in-depth look at ART U's 2018 campaign, click here!

The Knights kick off the first time on Sept. 5 against Humboldt State at Paul Goode Field in San Francisco (Live Stats & Video). Six more non-conference games follow before ART U embarks on their 11 match PacWest conference schedule. For an in-depth look at the Urban Knights' 2019 schedule, click here!

The 2019 roster features four returning seniors in forwards Anissa Wilson, Jenny Wittor, Casey Childers, and defender Mikayla Lopez. The attack heavy senior class is highlighted by Wilson who led ART U in points and goals last season. Both her 14 points and six goals were third most in a single-season by any ART U player. The other three have all attended Academy of Art since their freshman year and have been valuable assets since their arrival. 

A strong junior class returns essential pieces to ART U's 2019 squad. Midfielders Alyssa Rasmussen and Sydney Cooke were two of only three players to appear and start in all 18 matches last year. Rasmussen's energy and grit was at the helm of the Knights backline for a team leading 1,639 minutes in 2018. In her sophomore season, Cooke collected five points on one goal and three assists. Forward Veronica Rodriguez and goalkeeper Lara Pflicke round out the junior class. Pflicke is expected to take over as the starting keeper in 2019 after posting solid numbers as a backup, including a paltry 0.49 goals against average.

Eight Sophomores, comprised of defenders McKenna Dubose and Britney Flint, midfielders Reyna Valencia and Avica Robings, forwards Brooklyn Morera and Baylie Christensen, and goalkeepers Jordyn Wight and Dru Keizer make up the largest class on the team. As a freshman, Flint started 17 matches and was critical to an ART U defense that posted six shutouts. Valencia was the most successful freshman offensively, amassing seven points on two goals and three assists, and Morera was not far behind with her six points on two goals and two assists. Christensen followed with five points on one goal and three assists and Robings scored a pair of goals. 

Redshirt freshman Emma Keleloma is joined by a recruiting class of six incoming freshmen, including two international signees and representation from three different states. A pair of defenders, Katie Williams and Raquel Calvo Mendez, two forwards, Brooklyn Villapudua and Hannah Moore, one midfielder Morgan Day and a goalie Nicole Peoples make up an exciting recruiting class.

The deep and talented group has worked hard and looks to build on and improve upon a solid 2018 season.