PICTURED: Matias Warp

CHICAGO, IL - The tenth-ranked North Park University Men's Soccer team defeated the second-ranked University of Chicago Maroons (13-2) 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Entering the game, these Central Region top seeds had just one loss each.

NPU (12-1-1, 5-0-1) was able to outshoot their opponents 10-5, yet the shots on goal from each team remained tied at 3-3.  At the conclusion of the first half of play, a combination of tough defense and goalkeeping between both teams forced a draw entering the second half. The lone goal of the night was scored by sophomore Matias Warp in the 46th minute of play. Sophomore Peder Nalum Olsen sent the ball towards Warp who was able to shoot it past the right side of UChicago goalkeeper Hill Bonin.

Off a free kick into the box, University of Chicago striker Max Lopez delivered a header below the post in the 77th minute of play. North Park sophomore Mathias Stulen was able to perfectly defend this solid goal attempt and punch the ball clear of the goal in a game-winning save. Stulen was perfect in the net against UChicago, stopping all three shots on goal. Junior Carel Kawele Kuzona was also able to add a shot on goal for NPU during Wednesday's game.

This past week, North Park was ranked #10 in the nation according to the NCAA United Soccer Coaches Poll. With the win over UChicago, expect to see North Park University continue to rise in the national soccer rankings this coming week.

North Park is looking to build on this momentum Sunday (10/22) when they travel to Cleveland, OH for a non-conference game against Case Western Reserve University (5-7-2). North Park is also looking to take over first place when they play current CCIW leader North Central College on October 25th at Holmgren.