PICTURED: Enrique Menendez

Looking to earn their second victory over Augustana College in the last four meetings, North Park came up just short in a 13-7 decision Saturday afternoon at the Holmgren Athletic Complex.

Field goals of 35 yards and 29 yards from Augie kicker Jacob Stytz proved to be the difference as both teams engineered only one touchdown apiece in the conference matchup.

Augustana took a 7-0 lead not even a minute into the game when an unfortunate North Park turnover to start led to a 2-play, 20-yard drive culminating in a one-yard run for Ryan Pitra. After Augie's first field goal midway through the second quarter, North Park generated its only scoring drive of the game – a 4-play, 75-yard drive – which ended in a 38-yard pass touchdown pass from T.D. Conway to Devin Childress with 5:31 left in the second.

Childress, seeing his first action since sustaining an injury early in the preseason, led the Vikings with four catches for 90 yards. Conway completed 9 of his 21 passes for 182 yards, but unfortunately threw three interceptions and left the game late in the second half after injuring his right shoulder. Sophomore quarterback Jace Bankord replaced Conway and completed one pass for 20 yards.

Despite struggling some on the offensive side, North Park's defense shined for the crowd 1,007 in attendance as four different Vikings accumulated 10 or more tackles. Junior Chaun Maiava led the charge with 14 total tackles, including two for a loss of three yards, and a sack. He also had an interception return for 19 yards. Along with Maiava, Uluao Letuli garnered 11 tackles and a sack while Mark Mamola had two sacks and 11 tackles. Matt DiFecchio added 10 tackles and Quenton Voce recorded two sacks. In all, the Vikes defense limited Augustana to only 98 yards rushing.

North Park (1-7, 0-6) looks to rebound next Saturday when it travels to Waukesha, Wisconsin for a 1 p.m. contest with Carroll University.