SAN FRANCISCO – In a back-and-forth battle on Senior Day, Academy of Art men's soccer came out of the day with a tie, as the Urban Knights and Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific ended 2-2 at CCSF Soccer Field on Saturday.

After first honoring seniors Kendryx Soriano, Jossart Jodito, and Gilly Miller with a pregame ceremony, the Urban Knights moved to 2-8-4 overall and 2-3-1 in the Pacific West Conference after coming out eager, playing with purpose in their final home match. The Knights had three shots within 10 minutes of each other, as Miller would get two shots off and sophomore forward Ismaël Elmi would tack on another. ART U couldn't get any to go, and the Sunbirds would find their first score of the match shortly after in the 23rd minute of a penalty kick, with Stephan Morris getting the score to take the 1-0 lead, and the score remained the same going into halftime. Only allowing the penalty in the first half, sophomore goalkeeper Jaiden Brooks held down the fort for the rest of the first half, as he recorded five saves in the process.

Coming out of the half, it didn't take the Knights long to even it up as, in the 52nd minute, junior defender Abraham Valencia found a cutting freshman midfielder in Joey Glaab going through the heart of the Sunbirds' back line. Valencia sent in an over-the-top through ball into the center of the box with Glaab sending it past FPU goalkeeper Elmer Carballo to tie the match up 1-1. 

Moving into the 68th minute, Academy of Art drew a foul on the outer edge of the box setting up a free kick. Upon the cross into the cluttered box, the Knights were awarded with their own penalty kick when putting on pressure close to the Sunbirds' net. Miller would walk up to take the penalty, and put it sailing past the goalkeeper to take the lead 2-1. These two points from Miller have him tied for the Academy of Art career points record, now sitting with 47.

With a lead for the first time in the match, the Knights were looking to tack on another as junior forward Alejandro Palos and junior defender Chris Stokes each put up quality chances shortly, but neither could find the net. In the 84th minute, the Sunbirds put on an attack pushing down the field, as Chris Macias sent a cross over to the far post and found a diving header by Lucas Ribeiro that reached the net to tie the contest back up at 2-2.

The last five minutes of the match consisted of two more shots from the Sunbirds with both being saved by Brooks. The Knights' goalkeeper would finish the match with eight saves on the day.

ART U's final four matches will all be on the road as the Knights will head across the Golden Gate Bridge next Saturday, Oct. 21 to battle with the Penguins of Dominican at Kennelly Field with a noon kickoff time.