ARCATA, Calif. – Out at College Creek Field on Monday afternoon, Academy of Art men's soccer delivered its best collective effort of the year as goals to open and close the first half combined with tough defense for a 2-0 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt.

"We're really pleased with the performance and the result today," said Head Coach Danny Kirkland. "We started the game brightly and were aggressive in the final third, which gave us the platform to go on and win the game."

A shot by freshman forward Ismaël Elmi less than a minute into the contest foreshadowed offense to come as the fourth minute saw decisive action. Redshirt freshman midfielder Elvis Mensah played a ball to junior midfielder/forward Gilly Miller in the box, whose shot deflected off a Lumberjacks defender and was collected by Elmi to put the finishing touches on a goal for the Urban Knights' initial 1-0 advantage.

ART U continued to push the ball when in the attack, forcing Humboldt's goalkeeper to make two more saves before another goal expanded the lead. In the 40th minute, senior midfielder William Mychaltchouk received a quick pass from senior midfielder/forward Breki Einarsson inside the box on the baseline and powerfully launched a ball across the front of the goal to the back post for the score.

The Academy of Art defense held the Jacks to just three shot attempts in the first half (none on goal) and looked to continue preserving its now two-goal margin. Senior goalkeeper Davis King denied the home team's attempt less than three minutes into the second half and, after numerous chances were sent high, he swiftly handled another in the 80th minute as desperation began to set in for Cal Poly Humboldt. In the end, time expired and the Urban Knights were able to sign off on their first shutout of the season, winning 2-0.

"In the second half, Humboldt came at us but we defended extremely well to earn the clean sheet and manage the game out," Kirkland said. "The past two games we've showed a great reaction to disappointment and now must continue moving forward."

Now 1-3-1 overall this season, ART U was paced by the first goals of the season for Elmi and Mychaltchouk as well as Miller's second assist and Einarsson's first in 2022. King emerged with two saves and no goals allowed in a full 90 minutes.

Humboldt State drops to 1-2-3 on the season with the loss and had just two of its 13 shot attempts come on frame.

The Urban Knights return home this Thursday, Sept. 15 for a 1 p.m. kickoff against William Jessup at Paul Goode Field.