PICTURED: Carel Kawele Kuzona

North Park suffered its first defeat of the season, a 2-1 setback to visiting Whitworth University, Monday afternoon in non-conference action.

Two days removed from a thrilling 3-0 season-opening victory, the Vikes looked poised to continue the momentum and did so by recording 18 total shots. However chances were few and far between in the first half as both teams mustered only six total opportunities and went into the half deadlocked.

NP broke through early in the second half though when Carel Kawele Kuzona took an Arkadiusz Szlachta pass off the top right wing and booted a shot pass the goalie in the top right corner of the net at the 48th minute.

Not even 10 minutes later though Whitworth struck with the equalizer when Moi Diaz took an Austin Cassity pass from 25 yards across the field and put a shot in the bottom center left of the goal. Micah Weller then came up with the game-winner for the Pirates in the 64th minute on a header off a free kick from Eric Espinoza.

Despite the loss, keeper German Zamudio made his first collegiate start and had three saves. Kuzona led the Vikings with six shots while Peder Nalum Olsen had three. Diaz finished with two for Whitworth.

North Park (1-1) resumes action Wednesday night when it hosts Dominican University for a 7 p.m. contest.