Then there were two.

Certainly Coach John Born and the North Park Vikings weren't looking past visiting Elmhurst College Wednesday night as was evident in their 1-0 victory over the Bluejays, which kept NP in contention for their first College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin regular season championship since the 2006 season, but this was the scenario North Park was hoping for at the start of the 2014 season –an opportunity to earn the title against Wheaton College.

With the Vikings triumph, the outright champion will be decided and the top-seed determined for next week's CCIW men's soccer postseason tournament for a right to earn a spot in the NCAA Division III national tournament Saturday night when the Thunder visit the Holmgren Athletic Complex for the regular season finale between the squads at 7:30 p.m.

Elmhurst definitely didn't go down without a fight against North Park. Down a few key starters, the Vikings relied on their defense and superior goalkeeping from keeper Wesley Woodley to earn their 13th win of the season (13-4). The Bluejays however, out-shot and nearly out-muscled North Park on a few plays but NP's true grit and expert poise kept them in line for the victory. Elmhurst owned a 19-10 edge in total shots, including a 7-2 margin in shots on goal, but the Vikings made sure one of their two shots on target was the deciding factor. Freshman Carlos Rodriguez, making his first start of the season for NP Wednesday night, put away his first goal of the year in the 32nd minute off an assist from Fredrik Greiff. Rodriguez recorded two of NP's 10 shots, while Kebba Sanyang finished with three and Stany Lokamba two.

Late in the second half, Elmhurst created its best opportunity at the equalizer when Josh Rudd hit the crossbar and JD Garnett followed with a rebound that Woodley saved. The Bluejays were seeking their fifth-straight victory after EC defeated Illinois Wesleyan 4-1 Oct. 25, but suffered only their fourth loss of the season.

North Park improved to 5-1 in the conference. Saturday's matchup with Wheaton will serve as Senior Day for the Vikings and will be a doubleheader with the women's game beginning at 5 p.m.