HILO, Hawaii – After senior midfielder Malcolm McLellan's first goal of the season gave Academy of Art University men's soccer a lead six minutes in, ART U found itself in a rainy dogfight with UH Hilo up until the 104th minute. That is when a trio of Urban Knights, junior midfielder Justin Erhunmwunsee, sophomore midfielder Matthew "Matteo" Rodriguez, and senior defender Patrik Haley, combined for the game-winner, lifting their team to a 2-1 victory in the second overtime period.

"It was another dogfight for us," said head coach Mike Keller. "Winning on the road in our conference is tough and credit to Hilo for getting back in the game. Any win on the road is a good one."

A mere six minutes into the Pacific West Conference matchup, senior midfielder Malcolm McLellan worked in tandem with sophomore midfielder Alexander Tombach to put Academy of Art on the board. Tombach made multiple individual moves to set up a cross to the right side where McLellan delivered a power header to the back of the net.

In the 28th and 29th minutes, the Vulcans proceeded to take three shots which were all saved by freshman goalkeeper Kevin Mendez. However, a fourth attempt by Cristian Ruelas got through and evened the match 1-1. Both sides had opportunities in the ensuing minutes of the first half, but both goalies held their respective lines.

"Kevin really kept us in it in the first half," said Keller. "After the Hilo goal, they kept a lot of momentum and Kevin really stood up for us."

The second half had fewer shots on both sides, however, the Knights put two chances (freshman midfielder Jordan Seech and McLellan once again) on frame in the final 10 minutes of regulation only to see both saved. The 1-1 score continued through the first overtime period which featured just one save by Mendez in the 94th minute.

Off a cross by Rodriguez and a quality touch from Haley in the 104th minute, Erhunmwunsee had his hard work to gain position pay off as the ball fell to him for a one-on-one finish against the goalkeeper. It was the Knights' third consecutive 2-1 victory on the islands.

The win puts ART U at 5-2-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play (second place in the standings). McLellan scored his first goal of the season (fourth in his career) and Erhunmwunsee had his first. Tombach picked up his third career assist, Haley had the second of his career, and it was the first for Rodriguez. Mendez finished with his fifth win in goal with a season-best eight saves.

UH Hilo falls to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the PacWest. Ruelas had the goal and keeper duties were split between Joshua Jasper and Tyler Hoffman. Each goalie had two saves and allowed one goal.

"We really did some growing as a team [on this trip] and were able to work together some good soccer in some touch weather and environments," said Keller. "I think it will really translate into the next phase of the season when we get home."

Academy of Art is set to play its final non-conference match on Friday, Oct. 9, hosting Sonoma State at Fairmont Field in Pacifica at 1 p.m.