Game #7
ART U (1-5, 0-3 PWC) vs. William Jessup (3-6)
September 29th at 3:00 PM
Rocklin, CA -- Jessup Field
Game #8
ART U (1-5, 0-3 PWC) vs. Chaminade (1-6, 1-2 PWC)
October 1st at 12:00 PM
San Francisco, CA -- Boxer Stadium
READY TO REBOUND: The Urban Knights head just up the road a piece to Rocklin, CA to take on the Lady Warriors of William Jessup. The Knights are coming off a tough trip to Dixie State, where they dropped their conference match against the Red Storm. Academy of Art has been hampered by injuries so far in 2011, but have been sparked offensively by PacWest Top Ten Honor Roll selections Hannah Emmett and Margaret Thorolfsdottir, as well as on the defensive side of the ball by keeper Jessica Bibby and defender Sophie Meneses. After that they return to Boxer Stadium on Saturday to take on the Lady Swords of Chaminade.
THIS MATCH IN HISTORY: The last time Academy of Art and William Jessup faced off, the Urban Knights and the Lady Warriors played 110 minutes of scoreless soccer before ending in a 0-0 double overtime tie. October 22, 2010 marked the ninth time in Knights history that a game went to double overtime, and the second time that it ended with both teams scoreless. The only other time was two weeks before, on October 9, when they battled Notre Dame de Namur for two overtimes with neither team able to get on the board.
FAMILY MATTERS: Head Coach Aileen Nasypany, who has experience all over the soccer world, professional and collegiate, doesn't have to look far for a familiar face on the Urban Knights sideline. That's because she is assisted on the sidelines by her younger brother Matt Nasypany. Matt, who also has a heavy soccer background, is in his third year as an assistant coach to his older sibling.
ROCKLIN AND ROLLING: The Lady Warriors are coming off a 1-0 loss to Holy Names University in their last outing, but do own a 3-2 record at home this year at Jessup Field. So far they have defeated Northwest Christian (3-0), Hope International (1-0), and Corban University (3-2, 2OT) in their home confines, while still winless at 0-4 on the road. The Warriors are led by Alyssa Wimmer, who had the golden goal against Corban, and Jacque Cassel, who has three goals on the year and two game-winners.
SLUMPING SILVERSWORDS: Chaminade is in the midst of a three-game skid, and lost their first match on the mainland to Notre Dame de Namur on Tuesday. The Swords went down hard to Grand Canyon 7-2 last week, and will face Dominican University (CA) on Thursday before finishing off their week in San Francisco. They are led by freshman midfielder Shannon Wright, who leads the team in points (5) and goals (2), and sophomore defender Kristy Iwahashi, who scored the game-winner in their only victory over Hawaii-Hilo. Both earned PacWest Top Ten Honor Roll selections for their efforts.
LOOKING AHEAD: After facing the Lady Warriors and Silverswords this week, the Urban Knights will play a home-and-away series against Notre Dame de Namur, first in Belmont at 2:00 p.m. on October 6th, and then at Boxer Stadium at noon on October 8th. In the last two matches against the Argos, NDNU has the only goal in 200 minutes of play, with one match ending 1-0 and the other in a 0-0 2OT tie.
