PICTURED: Gustav Leander

A Gustav Leander goal off a Nikolay Ianev assist sent the North Park Homecoming faithful home happy Saturday night as the Vikings opened CCIW play with a 2-1 win over visiting Carroll University.

Leander literally came out of nowhere to pick up his fifth goal of the season when Ianev fired a shot in off the right side in the 50th minute. After Carroll's keeper came out to make a stop on the ball, Leander sneaked around him and received Ianev's shot in what ended up being a pass to the speedy sophomore.

Carel Kawele Kuzona gave the Vikes an early 1-0 lead in the 16th minute when he put away his third goal in as many games and his fifth overall when he headed in a Gianfranco DeCarne free kick ball off the left side and into the bottom right corner of the goal.  

Carroll tied the match at 1-1 11 minutes later however on a penalty kick from Andy Hovell and it looked as if the Pioneers came up with the equalizer in the 82nd minute, but after a lengthy discussion the officials nullified the shot.

North Park garnered 17 shots to Carroll's seven, including a 7-2 shots on goal advantage. Kawele Kuzona recorded a game-high six shots, three on goal while DeCarne fired three.

The Vikings (5-2-1, 1-0) resume CCIW play Wednesday night when they host Millikin University at 7:30 p.m.