BELMONT, Calif. – Academy of Art women's soccer opened up PacWest-play on Thursday afternoon when they took on Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont. However, despite outshooting the Argonauts in the opening period, ART U could not hold back the Argos' efficient offense, falling by a score of 1-5.
 
The Urban Knights got off to a strong start to begin the first half, taking five shots including three on-goal in the first 26 minutes. ART U held the Argonauts to just one shot during that time, but NDNU's following attempt at the goal put the Argos ahead for good. A foul committed by the Knights in the 30th-minute set up a free kick for NDNU's Vanessa Sanchez. Her attempt from 30 yards out just eluded the outstretched arms of senior goalkeeper Maggie Alikpala-Wilson. 12 minutes later, the Argonauts put their second goal on the board when Ellie Mujushi was able to find the net after dribbling down the line.
 
To begin the second period, Academy of Art was still outshooting Notre Dame de Namur 6-5, but the Argos' offense took over from there, outshooting ART U 11-2 over the next 45 minutes. NDNU eventually scored three more times over the course of the second half in the 56th, 70th, and 74th minutes. However, the Urban Knights' made their first shot of the period count: junior midfielder Alice Michell sent in a corner kick towards the back post where sophomore Jenny Wittor was able to knock in the first goal of her collegiate career. The goal was ART U's first since their second match of the season when they tied Western State 1-1. 
 
Besides Wittor, senior midfielders Kendall Bozart and Abigail Chavez were the Urban Knights' biggest offensive contributors, each collecting a pair of shots. Furthermore, both senior midfielder Laney Haviland and senior defender Aliya Salas were workhorses on the pitch as they were the only two players on either side to play all 90 minutes.
 
Academy of Art will now head home to prepare for their first home PacWest match of the season when they host Dominican on September 23 at noon.