SAN FRANCISCO – Out at Paul Goode Field to continue its season-opening homestand, Academy of Art men's soccer finished locked with UC Santa Cruz 1-1, earning ART U its third tie through five matches of non-conference play.
 
In the first half of action, the Urban Knights(0-2-3) did well to not allow the Banana Slugs (2-2-1) to get away from them and kept the contest close. ART U surrendered just one score from a Max Beldner header off a corner kick dished in from Tyler Allred in the 23rd minute and the Knights' shots in the first half (5) were not much different compared to the Slugs (7).

Coming right out of the intermission, the Knights were hungry for a score, and got just that in the 49th minute as junior defender Abraham Valencia sent an over-the-top through ball towards the box, took a deflection, and was cleaned up by freshman midfielder Joey Glaab with a header that just chipped beyond Kian Van Der Meer in goal. This was Glaab's third goal of the season which now ranks him tied for first in total goals in the Pacific West Conference rankings. Valencia received the assist which is his first time making an appearance on the scoresheet for ART U.

The intensity remained high for the rest of the match with both teams looking to get ahead as ART U and UC Santa Cruz recorded a collective 15 shots in the second half alone. Sophomore goalkeeper Jaiden Brooks and Van Der Meer went back and forth recording saves, notching four each by the end of the match. The next real chance for either squad came in the 70th minute when Torin Volkamer broke through the Knights' defense earning himself what looked to be a one-on-one with Brooks but was inevitably chased down and blocked by sophomore defender Teo Benedick who booted the ball away from danger.

The Banana Slugs earned another chance shortly after, but was shot just wide left which resulted in a goal kick for the Knights. Junior forward Alejandro Palos of ART U had a try of his own and shot a screamer from outside of the box that went just high of the bar with 20 seconds left. This last attempt would put the Knights at 12 shots total with five on goal for the match, a new season-high in both categories.  
 
Academy of Art men's soccer now looks ahead to host #20 St. Mary's (Tex.) later this weekend on Sunday, Sept. 17 with a kickoff of 1 p.m. at CCSF Soccer Field.