Box Score

San Francisco, CA – After honoring a large senior class out at Kezar Stadium Saturday afternoon, Academy of Art University men's soccer fought through nearly 60 minutes of scoreless soccer hosting Fresno Pacific. Both teams broke through over the 20 minutes that followed, however, as the Sunbirds struck first only to see the match tied on a penalty kick by Jonmundur Gretarsson. Unfortunately for the Urban Knights, the end result was a 3-1 win for FPU to go with the Pacific West Conference regular season title.

Though the first half did not see a goal, there were several close chances including Kristof Urbanyi's early attempt in the fifth minute. That chance was saved by Sunbirds goalkeeper Fabian Rangel and both sides continued to jockey for position.

Perhaps looking for Senior Day heroics, Leonardo Bartelle gave a quick touch on a pass by Patrick Heinemann, but the ball deflected off Rangel's leaping fist which just barely saved the goal in the 23rd minute. On the other side 15 minutes later, Gustavo Silva had a chance that Luca Theis stopped and it was not until the final minute of the half that another near-goal was had.

A free kick by Urbanyi eventually materialized into a chance for William "Willy" Velasco Villa to execute a bicycle kick attempt on frame which Rangel managed to save. The first period would conclude in a scoreless tie.

In a difficult turn of events, the first shot of the second half ended up being a goal with FPU's Renato Bustamante scoring a header straight on in the 59th minute. Set up by Elijah Gallegos' pass from the left edge of the penalty box, Bustamante's ninth goal of the year gave the visitors a 1-0 lead that would last just six minutes as Gretarsson was awarded a penalty kick following a foul in the box in the 65th minute. He too registered his ninth goal in 2013, driving the ball past a diving Rangel into the left corner of the net.

Knotted up 1-1, the match proceeded just six more minutes before another goal came. This time, Jorge Chedraui received the ball from Bustamante on a cross from the right side after a breakaway. Chedraui made a sliding stab at the ball, connected, and put in his 11th goal of the year to break the tie.

Although Carlos Hernandez had a pair of close chances in the 76th minute, the final goal scored came in the 78th minute off the foot of Gustavo Silva who dribbled to the right side of the box and put the ball into the left corner for a 3-1 advantage. That score would hold up the rest of the way as FPU came away with the win.

In the end, six different ART U players registered shots on goal in the contest, but it was Gretarsson who had the lone goal for Academy of Art on his penalty kick. The teams were relatively even shooting the ball in each half. Theis turned in a complete 90 minutes in goal with two saves.

PacWest Conference regular season champion Fresno Pacific finishes its year 13-4-1 overall and 10-2 in conference play. Individual goals were scored by Bustamante, Chedrauri, and Silva with Gallegos and Bustamante adding assists. Rangel lasted just over 88 minutes and finished with five saves as well as one goal allowed.

The Urban Knights conclude their 2013 season 9-6-3 overall and 6-4-2 in PacWest play, marking their most wins in program history.