LACEY, Wash. – Despite the Saints controlling the ball for most of the most and outshooting their opponent, 17-to-10, Academy of Art stunned SMU 2-0 on their home field Thursday afternoon.
 
A costly turnover by the Saints (2-1-0), right in front of the box, allowed Academy of Art (1-1-0) to punch in their first goal of the match. The final dagger came in the 88th minute, after a save by Ali Koehler, the Urban Knights swung the ball around the box and open seam for a goal. Kiersten Madsen and Kylee Sarchett combined for 10 shots, three landing on goal.
 
The early goings of the match favored the Saints, with SMU recording the first seven shots of the match. Art U connected for their first shot over 26 minutes into the match. After the first Art U shot, the momentum shifted to the Urban Knights, Art U out shot the Saints 5-2 in the final 20 minutes of the half, including a goal in the 36th minute. The Saints tried to play the ball back to Koehler; however, Anissa Wilson was able to intercept and go far post for her first goal of the season.
 
In the second half, the Saints once again dominated possession of the ball and out shot the Urban Knights 8-to-5. Unfortunately for the Saints, none of their shots were able to find the net, with only six of the 17 shots in the game landing on goal. The final goal wrapped up the match for Academy of Art, scoring after a save by Koehler bounced right back to Art U, who passed once to an open player in the box for the goal.

"The ball didn't bounce our way today," said head coach Heather Cato. "Academy of Art is a quality side, but we took too long to get things going. We will need to be sharper in the details on Saturday and respond with our style of play. I love this team and coaching these players, but today I was disappointed in the overall effort we put out there."
 
Madsen once again led the team with six shots, two finding their target. Sarchett added four shots, with Jolene Kvinsland adding two shots, both on goal, off the bench. Koehler finished the match with three saves, facing 10 shots on the day.
 
The Saints look to bounce back quickly, hosting Holy Names on Saturday, September 8 at 12:30 p.m. The afternoon match will have live stats and video, available on smusaints.com.