SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Jessup fans got an early look at what will soon be a conference rivalry as the Warriors visited the Academy of Art on Thursday afternoon. Coming into the match without a goal this season, Jessup excelled on their set pieces as they scored twice but came out on the wrong end of a 3-2 defeat.
The Warriors, who are competing in their final season as a member of the GSAC, will be joining NCAA Division II and the Pac West Conference in 2024. Academy of Art, members of the Pac West, will be a regular fixture on the schedule moving forward.
A second meeting between Jessup and Academy of Art this season is on the calendar for September 12.
The Urban Knights got on the scoreboard first in the 11th minute as Kara Aradottir took a pass from Brooklyn Villapudua to net their first goal of the season. Eight minutes later, Katie Williams headed the ball into the net off a Haley Vaughn free kick to set the score at 2-0.
With less than three minutes to go before halftime, Jessup finally found the back of the net as
Kaylee Gillespie played a free kick on the ground to the foot of
Abella Waterman ten yards out. On her first touch, Waterman placed the ball past the dive of the goalkeeper, putting her side on the board for the first time in 2023.
The Warriors would score again thanks to Gillespie off a set piece, but this time she did all the work. With the Warriors earning a corner kick in the 69th minute, the left-footed Gillespie curved the ball perfectly past the keeper for the 19th goal of her Jessup career.
Gillespie's goal made it a 3-2 score, as the Urban Knights added to their tally in the 47th minute thanks to an Ashley Tasev goal.
The Warriors dominated the shot column on Thursday, firing off 19 shots to just six from their opponents.
Jessup split goalkeeper duties on Thursday as Lillianna Fenn got the start following a 90-minute shutout on Tuesday. Fenn allowed two goals in 45 minutes of action.
Madeline Jern played the second half, allowing one goal while recording two saves.
The Warriors are now homebound for a Saturday matinee against Warner Pacific. Tickets for the noon kickoff can be purchased
HERE.
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Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).