Box Score

Photo Gallery (images by Rob Garcia & Kier LaCrosse)

Belmont, CA --Thursday's women's soccer match between Academy of Art and Notre Dame de Namur turned out to be an almost identical match, with the two teams putting up mirror images of each other. The match ended the same way, and after two overtimes, the score remained 2-2. The Urban Knights jumped out to an early lead against NDNU, scoring twice in the first half. The Argos answered in the second half with two goals in five minutes, and the two teams battled into overtime.

A mist started to fall on the game as regulation ended and heading into the extra period, neither team seemed to have an advantage. The clouds cleared in the second overtime and the sun shone down from the sky, but there was no breakthrough to be had on either side, and the game ended in the first tie of the season for the Knights (3-5-1, 1-3-1 PWC).

"After three straight matches in the heat, I think the team adjusted well settling back into the colder temperatures and rain of the Bay Area," Head Coach Aileen Nasypany said. "The team did not let the adversity of playing on turf get to them, either. As a program, we are not focusing on the things we can't control. We are only interested in upholding our standard and becoming better."

Sophomore attacker Margret Thorolfsdottir and senior midfielder Megan Bucci both inched closer to the program points record of 11, set last year by Hannah Emmett. Thorolfsdottir had another goal, her fifth of the year, and now has 10 points on the year. Bucci assisted on Magga's goal, giving her three assists and 9 points in 2011.

"It's really important to be the best player I can be," Bucci said after the game. "This is my last year, and I want to go out with something I can be proud of, something that will inspire the younger girls. I've had to tough it out with injuries, but this year I'm just trying to give it my all."

"Magga (Thorolfsdottir), Bucci, and Emmett have found their stride technically and chemistry wise on the pitch, much like the 'coneheads' from the movie Miracle," Nasypany says. "They each have a strong desire to be leaders and fulfill their role of creating offensive opportunities. They have been dedicated in their training over the past few weeks, which has raised not only their own level but that of the team as well."

Senior forward Emi Sullivan scored her first goal of the year in the 25th minute for the Knights on a loose ball at the top of the box. Jessica Madrid had the initial entry, and Sullivan shot it past the Argos goalkeeper to put ART U up 2-0. Coach Nasypany also had high praise for her freshman defender, Haily MacDonald.

"She was relentless in her efforts to shut down the attack of NDNU," Nasypany said. "She keeps getting better and more comfortable with her role in every match she competes in."

NDNU (2-6-2, 1-1-2 PWC) scored both its goals in the second half, with Sarah Biser finding Victoria Colon in the 49th minute and Kimberly Wilhite assisting Jessica Santos in the 53rd. The Argos outshot the Urban Knights, but goalkeeper Jessica Bibby out-saved her counterpart 6-3. The teams were even in fouls (11), each had only one offsides penalty, and each had one yellow card.

"The NDNU – ART U conference match-up has proved to be very competitive," Coach Nasypany said. "I think both teams share moments of neutralizing each other, however, for the first time in the history between the two programs, we had a two goal edge early on. My young program just needs to learn how to shut the door."

Thursday marked the first time in the program's short history that they have gained points in three straight matches. Coach Nasypany, who surpassed 2010's win total with their 4-1 victory over Chaminade last week, is well aware of the history that her 2011 squad is making. 

"This group of young artist-athletes are so driven, resilient, team-oriented, and focused," Nasypany stated. "I am very proud of their work ethic and dedication to our goals. We are taking it one day at a time and enjoying every step of the way. "

The match played out similarly to the first match between these two teams last year, which ended in a 0-0 tie after two overtimes. The two Bay Area teams have fostered a healthy rivalry over the past couple years, and that has definitely rubbed off on the older players like Bucci, who have seen it develop. 

"I think that we're pretty evenly matched when it comes to talent, " said Bucci. "We're both from the Bay Area, we both really want to win, and to a certain extent we're both considered the underdog. Coach (Nasypany) told us that there's no reason we can't be the best team in the Bay, and we're just trying really hard to do that."

They will square off again on Saturday at Boxer Field in San Francisco.