CHICAGO – The second-ranked North Park University men's soccer team fell to the third-ranked University of Chicago Maroons, 4-2, in a rematch of the 2017 NCAA Final Four at the Holmgren Athletic Complex on Saturday.  

In the first half, the Maroons got off to a fast start and scored in the eighth minute to make the score 1-0.  In the 18th minute, the Maroons strike again on a penalty goal by Matthew Koh.  The University of Chicago extended its lead to 2-0. The Vikings get on the board in the 22nd minute on a turnaround chip shot from 25 yards out to close the gap to 2-1. 

In the second half, both teams were scoreless until the 79th minute when Carter Romero passed to Max Lopez for the goal and put the Maroons up 3-1.  About a minute later, off a miscommunication by the Viking defense, Koh scored a break away goal which extended the Maroon's lead to 4-1.  At the 87th minute, Cresto was at it again and scored a penalty goal to make the score 4-2.  

Unfortunately, the Vikings could not overcome their 4-2 deficit and fell to the Maroons on Saturday night.

The Vikings outshot the Maroons 17 to 13 and were tied at 11 shots on goal.  Sophomore Peder Olsen led NPU with six shots and five on goal. Cresto was close behind and tallied five shots including three on goal.  

North Park opens a two-match road trip traveling to Aurora, Ill. to take on the Aurora Spartans on September 11, at 7 p.m.

–NPU–