Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Austin McKeon, Kier LaCrosse, Meg Williams, & Meghan Bushnell)

San Francisco, CA -- Academy of Art had a bevy of scoring chances against the Chaminade Silverswords on Saturday at Boxer Field. At the end of the first half, they were just unlucky, but as the team continued to find holes in the Swords defense, the shots started to pile up and the law of averages tilted the scales in the Urban Knights favor as they defeated Chaminade 4-1. 

And with the Knights scoring four goals in a PacWest matchup for the first time in their short history, it came as no surprise to see the team's offensive leaders littering the box score. Senior Megan Bucci had a goal and an assist, sophomore sensations Hannah Emmett and Margaret Thorolfsdottir each had another goal to add to their impressive totals, and team captain Erica Wheeler-Dubin added a goal to led the Knights (3-5, 1-3 PWC) to victory.

Thorolfsdottir, who scored two goals against William Jessup on Thursday, added another on Saturday off a great assist by Bucci, who blew by three defenders down the left sideline twice before finding "Magga," as her teammates call her, alone six yards in front of the goal. The Icelander, who had seven shots on the day, took one touch to settle before squaring up and putting in the back of the net. 

"Margaret has a very high soccer IQ, which allows her to be at the right place at the right time," Coach Aileen Nasypany said. "Her technical ability and hunger to win helps her to find the back of the net on the opportunities we are creating. She is still only a half of season in with this team so I look forward to see if her performance can increase as she builds more team chemistry with the players around her."

Bucci, who had a goal and assist on Thursday, was knifing through the Swords defense all day, and went top shelf off a cross by Tanner McCandlish to put the Urban Knights up 2-1 over Chaminade (1-8, 1-3 PWC). Bucci became just the third Urban Knight to score three points in multiple games, and the first ever to do so in back-to-back games. 

"Megan has learned how to take a game into her own hands and change the momentum," Nasypany said. "Bucci continues to lead by example and decidedly made sure it would not be a back and forth battle like Thursday. Her work ethic and communication skills have taken our play to the next level. Bucci spent most of last season, her first season with my program, watching from the sidelines with an injury. This year, I am continually impressed with her ability to make an impact on every match."

Erica Wheeler-Dubin, the defensive captain for the Urban Knights, scored her first goal of the year after lining up on a free kick from 27 yards out, and had three shots on the day. 

"With so many freshmen and sophomores starting, there can be moments of frantic play," Coach Nasypany said. "Wheeler-Dubin's leadership brought forth through her strong communication and smooth style of play provides composure to our young program. She had a classy finish of her set piece. I am very proud of her selfless contributions today to solidify a solid victory."

Emmett, who had a goal and an assist last week against Hawaii Pacific, and an assist against William Jessup, was back in the goals column against Chaminade. Thorolfsdottir lined up for a penalty kick after Bucci was taken down in the box, and when the goalkeeper saved it, Emmett was in the right spot for the rebound, putting it in to put the Knights up 4-1, which proved to be the final score.

The Urban Knights matched their season win total from last year and had another strong offensive performance to shut down Chaminade. The only goal for the Silverswords came in the 15th minute, when a cross from Alyssa Nagai at the right post was apparently caught up in a jet stream and carried right over ART U keeper Jessica Bibby to the back left post.

"To reach our win marker at mid-season is a great accomplishment for the team," Nasypany admitted. "It's crucial that they stay focused and continue to take it one battle at a time. The team ranges in experience, almost split down the middle with seniors and freshman. There are only a handful of juniors and sophomores. It has been crucial for the senior class to make an imprint on these new players. I can finally see this young program taking some steps forward."

The shot was one of only eight by the Swords. who were actually only down in shot differential 4-5 at halftime. But the Knights came on strong in the second half, with 12 shots total. The three goals came in a bunch, with the scores by Bucci (56'), Wheeler-Dubin (62'), and Emmett (64') all coming within ten minutes of each other.