MATCH #1
Academy of Art (0-0-0) at Cal State Stanislaus (0-0-0)
Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015, at 2 p.m. PDT
Turlock, Calif. — Warrior Stadium
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS
 
MATCH #2
Academy of Art (0-0-0) at Cal State East Bay (0-0-0)
Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, at 7 p.m. PDT
Hayward, Calif. — Pioneer Stadium
LIVE STATS
 
SAN FRANCISCO — The past two Academy of Art University men's soccer seasons rank as the winningest seasons in program history. The Urban Knights hope for nothing less in 2015.
 
With a core of talented veterans and nine newcomers that have injected the Urban Knights with strong depth, ART U looks to aim high in 2015. The season starts with two matches against California Collegiate Athletic Association opponents; first on Thursday on the road at Stanislaus State and continuing Saturday with a match across the Bay at Cal State East Bay.
 
The team has seven seniors that cover the entire field, while variety also characterizes the newcomers with three goalkeepers, three defenders and three midfielders/forwards.
 
Seniors Lennart Fleschhut and Runar Gudbjartsson anchor the back line while senior midfielders Kristof Urbanyi and Malcolm McLellan look to lead the offense for a second straight season. Freshmen 'keepers Kevin Mendez and Arnor Hafsteinsson look to earn time minding the net while junior Luca Theis will lead by example in his third season with the program.
 
Also returning to strengthen the defense is junior Ricardo Mendoza and sophomore Connor Henrichs. Freshman Bobby Gutierrez has impressed in the preseason and should also see time on the back line. Sophomore Alexander Tombach returns to the front line attack while newcomer Justin Erhunmwunsee should also supplement the offense.
 
The Urban Knights went 7-11 (5-7 Pacific West Conference) in 2014 after a 9-6-3 campaign in 2013. The team was 3-5 in one-goal games last year, including 2-4 in PacWest play. The PacWest season begins on Sept. 26 with a four-game road trip to Hawaii.
 
Academy of Art University looks to continue its rise on the pitch in its third season under head coach Mike Keller and assistant David Frank, and its eighth season in program history.