This is quickly becoming a season to remember for North Park soccer.

Already winners of eight of their first nine games, the Vikings added another victory to the column Saturday night, defeating visiting Millikin University by a 1-0 score in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener for both squads.

The lone goal came in the 56th minute when Vikings' leading goal-scorer Pedram Tahmi-Masoleh put away his eighth goal of the season, a penalty kick that was awarded to the sophomore after he was taken down just inside the box on the left side.

It was literally a game of inches and physicality for both squads as a combination of five yellow cards were issued and one red card. North Park held the shots edge by a 21-16 margin, but Millikin surely wasn't short of showing their true grit as it put three shots on target.

With the victory, the nationally-ranked Vikings (No. 16) are off to their best start since the 2006 season when they earned their third of three-straight CCIW regular season championships.

Tahmi-Masoleh finished the night with six total shots, five on goal, while Markus Fodstad added four and both Diego Lashlee and Fredrik Greiff three. Nick Abel recorded five shots for the Big Blue.

North Park (9-1, 1-0) returns to action Wednesday night, Oct. 8 when it travels to UW-Whitewater for a 7 p.m. match with the Warhawks.