CHICO, Calif. – In their final match before PacWest play begins, Academy of Art held Chico State scoreless the entire first half, but a pair of goals in the second gave the Wildcats a 2-0 win on Sunday afternoon at University Soccer Stadium. 

"Today we played a solid first half where we created the two best chances and limited Chico State to long balls and knock downs," said head coach Matt Martin. "If we finish one of those we're up and Chico has work to do." 

Sophomore midfielder Edvard Edvarsson led ART U in shots, with two including one on goal. Junior forward Adrian Cekala and sophomore midfielder Breki Einarsson each had one shot apiece and junior goalkeeper Kris Jensson collected three saves to bring his season total to 18.   

Edvarsson claimed the first Urban Knight shot in the 10th minute, but the Wildcats goalkeeper fended it off. Chico State put their first goal in the net in the 50th minute on a header from 12 yards out by Garrett Hogbin on a cross from Alex Fluitt. 

"At 0-0 against probably our best opponent for so far, we are feeling good, but a deflection goes in against us in the 50th and we take our foot off the gas pedal," said Martin. "We start chasing counters, we get tired, and we don't communicate like we did in the first half." 

The Wildcats struck again in the 70th minute to take a 2-0 lead on a goal from Jacob Chong, who trapped a cross, spun and hit a shot to the back of the net. ART U had one last opportunity in the 80th minute on a shot by Einarsson, but it faded just wide.

"We fought today and I'm proud of that, but we have to be smarter and more serene to respond to adversity," said Martin. "These boys are resilient and they know a win in conference can catch us on fire, and the goals and more wins will come."

After the loss, Academy of Art falls to 0-5. The Urban Knights will now embark on their PacWest schedule, as they look to earn their first win of the season on Sept. 26 versus Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont, Calif. at Koret Field.