Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Kier LaCrosse)

Rohnert Park, CA -- In the 2011 season opener for both teams, Academy of Art University men's soccer fought through a grueling match with No. 21 Sonoma State, falling 1-0 in the end. The Urban Knights held the 2010 CCAA Champion Seawolves scoreless for 73 minutes at Seawolf Soccer Field on Thursday afternoon before a header goal ended up being the difference.

“The boys played very strong disciplined soccer today and they deserved better than 1-0 loss,” Head Coach Daniel Rosaia said. “But we'll take that, learn from it, and get better the next game.”

Sophomore forward Leonardo Bartelle and freshman forward Frederick Nagel each had chances early with both substituting in midway through the first half looking to break the tie. Nagel attempted two shots each within a three-minute span that had ART U on the offensive. However, goalkeeper Andrew Ball and the SSU defense were able to hold the line and send the match into halftime still scoreless.

“Frederick came off bench and played well,” Coach Rosaia said. “He went right to goal and got shots off. A freshman now, he's definitely going to be a big impact player for us over the coming years. And Leo took some great shots today. As his teammates learn his game, he's going to be a great player. Dalton Gullo also played very well at left mid for us starting as a freshman so we're looking for good things from him in the future.”

In the first 12 minutes of the second half, Academy of Art held valiantly against an early wave of Sonoma State attacks. The scoreboard still showed 0-0 until the Seawolves broke the tie in the 73rd minute with a header goal by SSU midfielder Kelly Davila. Midfielder Aaron Glover provided the assist, serving a cross from the left side about 20 feet out. ART U had an attempt to tie just over a minute later, but the header by senior midfielder Richard Martin sailed high and Sonoma State held on for the 1-0 victory.

Bartelle finished the match with four shots including one on goal while Nagel added a pair of shots with one on frame. Junior goalkeeper Ian Sutherland hung tough with one save against a strong SSU offense, but was removed from the game following the goal due to an injury. Freshman goalkeeper Jacob Baumann finished the game with a little under 17 minutes of scoreless action. The Urban Knights are now 0-1 this season.

No. 21 Sonoma State, 1-0 in 2011 with the victory, was led by the goal from Davila and assist from Glover who both came off the bench as well. Of the starters, midfielder Justin Ferreira notched three shots with one on goal. Ball earned the shutout with two saves in a complete 90 minutes of action in goal.

Academy of Art stays on the road with a trip to Idaho coming up this weekend. The Urban Knights first face Northwest Nazarene on Saturday at 3:00 PM MDT (2:00 PM PDT) then match up with The College of Idaho on Monday, Sept. 5 at 12:00 PM MDT (11:00 AM PDT).