WAIPAHU, Hawai'i – Academy of Art held Hawaii Pacific scoreless for 70 minutes and out-played them in the first half, but a late second half goal by the Sharks forced ART U to drop a 1-0 decision.
The Urban Knights' offense was red hot and deadly accurate in the opening period. ART U put seven-of-seven shots on target in the first half, including three in quick succession in the fifth minute. The first two shots came from junior midfielder
Sydney Cooke and the final shot was taken by sophomore midfielder
Reyna Valencia. 30 seconds later Cooke hit another ball on frame for her third shot on goal in less than a one minute span. But the HPU goalkeeper saved those plus the three other shots later in the half and the teams went into halftime in a scoreless tie.
The scoreless tie was broken in the 70th minute when HPU's Tehani Furuta deflected a ball off an ART U defender and past the keeper. It would be the only goal freshman goalkeeper
Nicole Peoples allowed, as she made a career-high six saves on the remaining shots on target. ART U put three more shots on target after the HPU goal, but they were all saved and the Knights fell 1-0.Â
Academy of Art ended with an astounding 10-of-11 shots on goal, four more than HPU, led by Cooke's three and freshman forward
Brooklyn Villapudua's two. After the loss, ART U drops to 7-7-3 overall and 3-5-2 in conference. The Urban Knights will have one more opportunity to tie their wins record set last season, in their final match against UH Hilo on Nov. 14.
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