SAN JOSE, Calif. – Entering the final 10 minutes of the second half, Academy of Art men's soccer looked to hunker down to protect a 1-0 lead that they had procured just 22 minutes before. However, out of sheer will, Dixie State managed to net two goals as the clock began to expire, handing ART U a heartbreaking, 2-1 defeat.
In the first half, both sides' offenses remained dormant. However, the Trailblazers' lack of goals was thanks to strong defensive-play, particularly from freshman goalkeeper
Kris Jensson: the Reykjavik, Iceland native collected three saves in a span of less than 60 seconds between the 13th and 14th minutes which helped keep DSU at-bay.
Entering the second period, the Urban Knights were being outshot 5-2, but ART U instantly turned up the intensity: the Knights took five unanswered shots in the first 12 minutes of the half, setting up the first-career goal for
Christian "Tate" Sprague. From 20 yards out, Sprague took a long, but perfectly placed shot which soared over the defenders and landed in the top-left corner of the net beyond the outstretched hands of Dixie's keeper.
The goal gave ART U a 1-0 lead and placed all of the momentum squarely on their side. Nonetheless, the deficit lit a spark of desperation into the Trailblazers which reignited their offense. Despite the Urban Knights' best efforts to maintain their advantage, Dixie State managed to tie the match in the 80th-minute. With less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, both sides scrambled to score a goal in the hopes of it becoming a game-winner. DSU succeeded in that quest, scoring once again in the 85th-frame. Looking to send the match into overtime, senior forward
Alex Walsh sent one final attempt towards the opposing net, only to have it scooped up by the keeper.
In total, Academy of Art amassed 11 shots (four on-goal) while senior midfielder
Jonny Navarro was responsible for three of those attempts. Meanwhile, despite allowing the goals in the final moments of the period, Jensson finished the match with four saves altogether.
The Urban Knights will now prepare for their second and final match of the homestand when they host Concordia on Saturday, October 14 at 2:30 p.m.
