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North Park University Athletics

round2Men'sSoc
1
UofW-Platteville UWPMS (12-4-2)
6
Winner NPU NPU (18-1-1)
UofW-Platteville UWPMS
(12-4-2)
1
Final
6
NPU NPU
(18-1-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UofW-Platteville UWPMS 1 0 1
NPU NPU 3 3 6

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Contact: Tyler Woolbright; tawoolbright@northpark.edu

No. 5 Vikings Prevail Over Pioneers in 2017 NCAA Tournament

Pictured: Gustav Ericsson

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The fifth-ranked North Park University men's soccer team had the advantage of watching the University of Wisconsin Platteville and Westminster College face off on Saturday night, as they received a bye for the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament. UW-Platteville easily handled Westminster and prepared to face a well-rested North Park team.

Despite the long stretch without formal competition, North Park did not miss a beat as senior defender Ricky Pimentel received a free kick from CCIW Newcomer of the Year Peder Olsen and headed it to the right of Platteville's diving keeper. This goal gave NPU the lead in just the first 46 seconds of play, and the scoring did not stop there.

CCIW scoring leader Carel Kawele found Gustav Ericsson in the ninth minute of play, and Ericsson returned the favor in the 17th minute when Kawele extended the lead to 3-0. 

After some scoreless foul-filled minutes moved the game along, the scoreless streak broke when UW-Platteville's Nick Hoklas scored on a free kick from 25 yards out. This was quickly countered with a costly own goal that took the wind out of the Pioneers' sails. 

As the game was winding down, Ericsson added another goal to his standout performance in the 78th minute off an assist from Chase Lennartz. Ericsson followed that up with an assist to Erlend Kemkers in the 82nd minute to mark his second goal in the past two games. 

With a final score of 6-1, North Park (18-1-1) extends their unbeaten streak to 18 straight games and moves on to the Sectional semifinal round against Washington & Lee University. This is the furthest that North Park University Men's Soccer has advanced in the NCAA Division III playoffs, and hosting responsibilities seem to be on the horizon.

Also advancing to the third round of the playoffs are No. 4University of St. Thomas (Minn.) and No. 10 Otterbein University.

Make sure to follow along on our social media pages to see who will be honored with hosting responsibilities! Dates and times will be posted immediately.


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