Box Score

San Francisco, CA -- After going toe-to-toe with one of the Pacific West Conference's top teams for much of the match, ART U dropped a 2-1 final to Notre Dame de Namur. At Boxer Stadium on Saturday afternoon, an Argonauts goal in the 85th minute broke the tie and pushed NDNU over the top. Junior forward Andrew "Boomer" Cruz scored his eighth goal of the year on a penalty kick to tie the match in the first half.

“The guys are fighting hard,” Head Coach Daniel Rosaia said. “We battled back after giving up the lead, then came back to tie the game, but that late goal was tough. The goals just didn't go our way today. When went down 1-0, the guys showed a lot of heart to come back.”

Saturday was a tale of two halves for both teams. While all three goals came in the second period, Academy of Art University dominated the shots in the first half. The Knights came out firing and began with a shot by freshman forward Willie Broderick in the 14th minute. Though the shot went wide, Coach Rosaia made an effort to keep the opportunities coming for his forwards early in the match.

“We tried to keep our guys fresh up top and that created chances particularly in the first half,” Coach Rosaia said. “We were unlucky to not to be up at halftime.”

In a half where ART U outshot the Argos 7-1, Academy of Art University managed two prime chances late in the period. Following a NDNU foul just outside the box in the 32nd minute, senior midfielder Kyle Mannschreck attempted a close shot that wound up in the goalkeeper's hands. Then, less than three minutes before halftime, freshman forward Patrick Heinemann received a pass from freshman forward Grimur Grimsson inside the box and headed it just wide.

“Grimur and Patrick were both playing hard today and they are definitely getting to know each other,” Coach Rosaia said. “Both are coming off injuries so they're going to get stronger and stronger.”

Eight minutes into the second half, Notre Dame de Namur put together a header goal by Armando Garcia off a corner kick to take the lead. Similar to the Dominican match two days prior, ART U would answer back with a score shortly thereafter. Freshman goalkeeper Ian Sutherland made a save and sent the Knights on their way to a play where Grimsson was fouled by the NDNU goalie in the box on a one-on-one breakaway.

Time was stopped in the 57th minute as Academy of Art University set up its penalty kick. Cruz stepped up for the attempt and sent the ball over a diving keeper inside the top portion of the goal. His success on the kick gave the Urban Knights momentum to keep fighting as the match was now tied 1-1.

“Grimur made great play to get in the box and Boomer finished it strong,” Coach Rosaia said. “That's what we expect from our guys. It was just a great play.”

Academy of Art University sustained a serious blow, however, when senior defender Vilmundur Sveinsson took his second yellow card in the 64th minute. From that point on, the Knights were forced to play a man down and though they hung tough, the Argos managed to take advantage. NDNU executed two separate header shots that helped them make a late push. In the 82nd minute, Jesus Gonzalez headed one off the left post, and then shortly after a corner kick in the 85th minute, Arturo Gomez put one into the net.

“College soccer is tough because as soon as we had the man down, we had to regroup and defend,” Coach Rosaia said. “We had a nice counterattack and had a couple of chances. We were just looking for that one chance to get the lead.”

Offensively for ART U, the goal was scored by Cruz off his lone shot attempt. Junior midfielder Richard Luna, Heinemann, and Broderick each had two shots in the contest. Grimsson, Heinemann, and Mannschreck each added particularly close shots on goal. Sutherland, who took a hard hit in the second half, persevered through a full 90 minutes with four saves and two goals allowed. Men's soccer is now 5-8 overall and 4-6 in conference action.

NDNU goals by Garcia and Gomez led the way for the Argos. Cristobal Montes and Jesus Gonzalez had an assist apiece though Gonzalez paced the team with three shots. Goalkeeper Joseph Mora turned in a complete game performance with three saves and one goal allowed. With the win, NDNU moves to 8-2 overall, 5-1 in PacWest play.
 
A non-conference match comes up next for the Knights on their homestand. At Boxer Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 17, Academy of Art University faces La Sierra of the NAIA with kickoff set for 3:30 PM.