Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Kier LaCrosse)

San Diego, CA -- In what was a closely contested affair at Triton Soccer Field, the ART U Men's Soccer team battled UC San Diego under the lights, ultimately sustaining a tough 2-0 loss. After UCSD pulled off a difficult first goal in the 26th minute, the match remained close, then another score by the home team in the 57th minute made an Academy of Art University comeback all that more challenging. The Urban Knights simply could not convert though they earned five attempts on goal to the Tritons' six.

“We actually played a lot better today,” head coach Daniel Rosaia said. “The team is started to come together tonight and play as a unit. They played very well and even though we didn't get the result, we're getting better every day.”

Both sides' defenses and their goalkeepers were tested in the early going as a shot by UCSD's Sam Ball was silenced by senior Ian Sutherland in the second minute. In the 9th minute, junior midfielder Andrew Durano put up his own shot, but it too was saved by the Triton goalie. The teams traded shots on frame once again in the 17th minute before a ball found the back of the net as the clock had nearly reached 27 minutes.

Jacob Valadez came up with a solo goal, launching from 22 yards out and at a difficult angle to find the upper right corner. The remainder of the first half would not be without ART U highlights, however, as senior forward Grimur Grimsson nearly had a goal in the 36th minute if it hadn't been for a nice save. He then worked in tandem with junior midfielder Patrick Heinemann's corner kick to attempt once again in the 41st minute only to see it go wide.

UC San Diego clutched a 1-0 lead coming into the second half, but it was still anyone's game. Shortly after a costly foul in the 57th minute, the Tritons struck again with a Padraig Buckley header off a free kick by Ian Macauley. From that point forward, the Knights' defense did not give in and continued to deflect UCSD attempts to make its lead insurmountable. In the end, the 2-0 result gave the home team its first win of the year.

Five Academy of Art University players, Durano, junior Leonardo Bartelle, Heinemann, Grimsson, freshman forward Vincent Rodrigues, each registered a shot on goal in the match. Sutherland added four saves in his complete game performance. Though ART U is 0-2 after its first roadtrip of 2012, Coach Rosaia was still pleased with how the team united over the last four days in southern California.

“I think the trip was a huge success,” Coach Rosaia said. “The guys got to know each other, had meals together, got in the pool and we are expecting good things to come of it.”

The Tritons were led by the first goals of the year from Valadez and Buckley. Macauley added an assist while UCSD goalkeeper Josh Cohen registered the 90-minute shutout with five saves. With the win, UC San Diego evens up its overall record at 1-1.

“Brazer Bozlak, one of our seniors, stepped up and played hard for us tonight,” Coach Rosaia said. “And Andrew Durano really played well too. We were in the game and finished strong. We're getting there.”

Academy of Art University now returns home for what fixes to be a historic moment in Urban Knight history as ART U faces San Francisco State on Wednesday, Sept. 5 under the lights at Kezar Stadium.