Box Score

Rocklin, CA -- The Urban Knights needed a win, and senior Megan Bucci stepped in a big way, putting the team on her back and notching a three-point game on an assist and a goal, including the game-winner, and Academy of Art (2-5) defeated the Lady Warriors of William Jessup 3-2. 

The Knights literally jumped into the heat of battle, playing their third game in four matches in hotter-than-average weather.  After playing in Riverside against Cal Baptist, ART U had a brief respite in San Francisco against Hawaii Pacific before heading to the baking salt flats of St. George to take on Dixie State. Today in Rocklin temperatures reached 95 degrees, and this time the Knights were ready for it.

"We had a few items on our list as a team to take care of today. We needed to show that we could overcome adversity being on the road and playing in the heat once again this season," said Coach Aileen Nasypany. "We didn't handle it that well in Los Angeles and Utah. We proved that will not hold us back anymore."

ART U got the scoring started with a dual assist to forward Margaret Thorolfsdottir in the fifth minute. Bucci pushed forward toward the net and got off a shot, but it rebounded right to Thorolfsdottir who put it in the back of the net for her second goal of the year. 

"We wanted to make an immediate impact on the game in the first focus five," Nasypany said. "I told the team that it takes a very special performance to go into someone else's house and take a win. Bucci was relentless down the line and put us on the board right away by creating a perfect opportunity."

Hannah Emmett, who has become a points machine for the Urban Knights, was part of an intricate assist to Thorolfsdottir in the 53rd minute to put ART U up 2-1. Thorolfsdottir got it all started with a cheeky back heel to Louise Fillingham at 20 yards, who then passed it to Emmett, who provided the perfect chip pass for Thorolfsdottir to put in the back post for her second goal of the match.

But it was Bucci in overtime who broke through the Warriors defense to win the game for the Knights. Bucci broke away down the left side and simply shot the ball straight through the William Jessup goalkeeper. The goalie got a hand on it, but the ball trickled through and into the goal to end the game. Even if the ball didn't go in, the Knights had Jessica Madrid right there who was right in position to finish it if need be.

However, William Jessup (3-7) equalized twice in the match before faltering in overtime. Stephanie Long tied the game at 1-1 less than five minutes after Thorolfsdottir put the Knights on top, and Cara Eskenazi scored an unassisted goal in the 77th minute to tie the game at 2-2. 

"I think she was surprised to have so much time and took too long to try to convert," Nasypany said. "She didn't let the opportunity pass her by in OT. She made it count. The seniors did an amazing job of leading by example today. Their work ethic was top-notch."

It was a shutdown game defensively for the Urban Knights, who only allowed nine shots and two on goal. The only corner kicks were in the first half, and the Knights took two to the Warriors one. Academy of Art held Jacque Cassell, the Lady Warriors leading goal scorer, to only one shot that went wide in the 72nd minute. 

"Olivia Dupon had an outstanding game, both technically and vocally," said Coach Nasypany. "I would say our overall defensive effort was better which led into better transition and more attacking chances. Margaret and Hannah are making the most of the opportunities with some brilliant finishes. It is really great soccer to watch."

Jessica Madrid almost had the chance to put the game further out of reach in the 8th minute, right after Bucci found Thorolfsdottir to open up the scoring. The ball came directly to her feet at the top of the 18 yard box with no one around, but her shot hit the top of the crossbar. Madrid ended the day with three shots, and Thorolfsdottir added four, including her second and third goals of the year. 

"I am very proudof my team as a whole," Nasypany said. "They are staying mentally strong as we take one game at a time and are really growing together each time we take the pitch."

The Knights will turn it around and play Chaminade, who lost Thursday to Dominican 5-1, at 1:30 on Saturday at Boxer Field.