Box Score

Kaneohe, HI -- Seven different Urban Knights notched a shot on goal Saturday afternoon, but the Academy of Art University women's soccer team could not overcome an early lead by Hawaii Pacific. The Sea Warriors won 4-0 though the ART U defense was able to hold off HPU for the final 65 minutes of the contest. Senior midfielder Emi Sullivan and junior defender Morgan McKnight each had two shots with one coming on frame.

“Due to illness and injuries prior to the match, different players needed to step up on the Urban Knights squad to go after that much needed goal,” Head Coach Aileen Nasypany said. “We are starting to build confidence in our style of soccer and the goals are soon to come. We had three quality shots that all just came off the top cross bar.”

An eventful first 24 minutes saw Hawaii Pacific take the lead with a goal scored by Yasmina Taketa in the 7th minute off a pass from KaUa Wall. The Sea Warriors' Meghan Fuller then netted back-to-back goals to push HPU's advantage to 3-0. A fourth and final score then came in the 23rd minute, but Academy of Art University did not give up after the early barrage.

The Urban Knights still managed five shots on goal in the opening period and their defense prevented any other goals from that point forward. Sullivan, freshman forward Hannah Emmett, and junior forward Megan Bucci each had scoring opportunities before the first half was complete, however, Hawaii Pacific's goalkeeper made the saves to keep ART U off the scoreboard.

In the second half, sophomore goalkeeper Melissa Co came in to relieve Hana Klimek and promptly shut out the Sea Warrriors in her 45 minutes of action. Co registered four saves, the first of which came in the 51st minute. The four-goal lead held up for HPU and Hawaii Pacific now moves to 1-4 overall, 2-1 in PacWest play. The Knights are now 1-4-1 overall with a 0-4 PacWest record.

“Co came off the bench and helped set the tone for the second half,” Coach Nasypany said. “We had a shaky start but the team played a solid second half and there is something strong to build on for the rest of the week to come.”

Academy of Art University had numerous shots on goal as six of the 10 starters (discounting goalie) put up shots on frame. Sullivan and McKnight each had two shots apiece in the match while freshman forward Maya Tucker came through with a shot on goal in her very first game as an Urban Knight. In goal, Klimek had three saves with four goals allowed while Co did not allow a goal and added four saves.

For the Sea Warriors, Meghan Fuller had four shots on goal and two goals to lead the team. Taketa finished with one goal and one assist. The starting goalie was Carianne Makino who notched six saves with no goals allowed and the final 20 minutes in goal were played by Joy Nakahara who had one save.

In its second match of the eight game roadtrip, the ART U women's soccer team now faces BYU-Hawaii on Monday, Sept. 27. The Knights are set for a 12:30 PM HST (3:30 PM PST) kickoff at BYU-Hawaii Soccer Field.