SAN FRANCISCO – The Urban Knights started their season in spectacular fashion on Thursday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over Humboldt State at Paul Goode Field. ART U's 2018 points and goals leader, senior forward Anissa Wilson, picked up where she left off, putting two in the net for her first career brace. 

The first goal came in the second minute of the game, when the Knights were given an early opportunity on a penalty kick from a hand ball in the box. Wilson lined up the shot and hit it square to the bottom left corner of the net for the first goal of the 2019 season.

Wilson was at it again when in the 25th when she received a ball from junior midfielder Alyssa Rasmussen at the top of the box. Wilson took one touch on the ball, planted, then sent it past a diving keeper for her second goal of the season. Rasmussen did well to intercept a poor clearance ball from the Lumberjacks and fed Wilson a perfect pass to earn the assist. 

With plenty of time remaining the Knights dug in to hold their lead, which proved to be no easy feat. The Lumberjacks were relentless in their attacks and more than doubled the amount of shots Academy of Art took. But junior goalkeeper Lara Pflicke was tremendous, collecting seven saves en route to her first career shutout. The defensive duo of freshman Katie Williams and sophomore Britney Flint were crucial in fending off the 'Jacks. The two defenders played the entire 90 minutes and made key stops throughout the match. 

This is ART U's first opening day win since 2010 when the Knights defeated Bethany College. The victory also marks the first time ART U women's soccer has defeated HSU in their four total meetings. Academy of Art will look to carry momentum from their shutout win into their next match against Saint Martin's this Saturday at CCSF Soccer Field starting at 1 p.m.