Photo credit: Dr. Jeff Nelson

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The fifth-ranked North Park University men's soccer team hosted Washington & Lee University (15-5-2) in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Championships, extending their unbeaten streak to 19 games with a 3-0 shutout victory.

Despite the rainy and windy conditions, freshman midfielder Shatil Khoury  warmed the home crowd up with a goal in the second minute of play, firing a shot to the lower left corner of the net to give the Vikings and early advantage.

With 14 minutes to go in the first half, the Vikings and Generals found themselves in a scramble for possession in Washington & Lee territory. Senior defender Chase Lennartz would gain control of the ball, ripping a 20-yard shot just beyond the reach of the Generals' keeper. However, the shot bounced off the top of the crossbar as the Generals narrowly avoided a two-goal deficit.

The Vikings nearly scored again when freshman midfielder Peder Olsen sent a corner kick towards junior defender Ricky Pimentel whose leaping header found the grasp of the Generals' keeper as the score held at 1-0.

However, the Vikings would find the back of the net before the conclusion of the first half, as their second goal arrived in the 41st minute. Freshman forward Erik Lundeen feinted a shot attempt, allowing the ball to roll to 2017 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Player of the Year Matias Warp. Warp bounced the cross immediately past the Washington & Lee keeper to extend North Park's lead to two goals.

Halftime: North Park 2, Washington & Lee 0

As the rain and wind began to pick up to start the second half, the offense on both sides slowed down. That is, until 68th minute when Warp back-heeled a pass to Lennartz who put the game out of reach with his first goal of the national tournament.

FINAL: North Park 3, Washington & Lee 0

Quick Hits:

• Lennartz finished the day with both a goal and an assist
• Warp notched his first goal of the postseason
• Quality over quantity: the Generals outshot the Vikings (16-11) but North Park marked nine shots on goal to the Generals' four
• The Viking defense stood tall and freshman goalkeeper Mathias Stulen made four cold-weather stops 
• North Park extends its unbeaten streak to 19 games

What's Next?

No. 5 North Park (19-1-1) advances to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history and will host the winner of No. 4 University of St. Thomas and No. 9 Otterbein University tomorrow, November 19, at 1 p.m.