PACIFICA, Calif. – Facing an uphill battle from the outset, Academy of Art University men's soccer stayed right with Fresno Pacific until the end in what turned out to be a 3-2 Sunbirds victory. Down 2-0 and playing with 10 men, the Urban Knights got goals from junior forward Justin Erhunmwunsee and sophomore forward Alex Walsh in a flurry of scores from both sides during the second half out at Fairmont Field on Wednesday. 

After the first shot of this match turned into a goal by Pacific West Conference leading scorer Jorge Chedraui for FPU, ART U remained determined to defend its home turf. Tough defense thereafter by the Academy of Art back line and freshman Kevin Mendez particularly in the final three minutes held the Sunbirds to just a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Playing down a man early in the second half, the Urban Knights foreshadowed the future when Erhunmwunsee, senior midfielder Malcolm McLellan, and Walsh each attempted shots during a six-second span only to be held by the FPU goalkeeper. Fresno Pacific went up 2-0 in the 74th minute on a goal by Joey Belzil, but the margin was shortened in the 76th minute on a goal be Erhunmwunsee.

The scoring did not slow down with Joao Ravasio netting a shot from 30 yards out in the 79th minute before Walsh followed a shot by McLellan to score in the 81st minute. When the dust settled, the Sunbirds were up 3-2 and they would remain there despite chances for ART U in the final 10 minutes.

Now 5-4-2 overall and 3-2-1 in PacWest play, ART U's highlights included Erhunmwunsee's second goal of the year, Walsh's fourth, and McLellan's first assist in 2015. Despite allowing the three goals, Mendez finished with a new career-high 11 saves to tie the program's single-game record originally set by Jose Herrera on Oct. 20, 2008.

Fresno Pacific rises to 8-2-2 overall and 5-1-1 in conference with the victory. Chedraui netted his PacWest-best 10th goal, Belzil added his seventh of the year, and Ravasio connected for his first. Goalkeeper Andrew Luis posted four saves with two goals allowed in 90 minutes.

This Saturday, Oct. 17, Academy of Art plays host to Dixie State at City College of San Francisco following the women's match. Kickoff for the men is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.