Photo credit: Dr. Jeff Nelson

CHICAGO, Ill. – The North Park University men's soccer team moved on to the third round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament in dramatic fashion, advancing on PK shootouts, 5-4, against the Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties on Sunday night. 

In their usual fashion, the Vikings controlled the pace of play immediately. However, the first shot of the match did not arrive until the fifth minute, off the foot of freshman midfielder Niclas Holgersson. Four more minutes would pass before the Gusties responded with a shot of their own, but North Park was preparing to pull ahead.

In the 20th minute, junior defender Arian Cindahl found room to run before moving the ball to junior midfielder Gianfranco DeCarne. Maneuvering around a pair of defenders and diving goalkeeper Wesley Sanders, DeCarne skipped his shot into the back of the net for the first goal of the match.

As the first-half clock wound down, Gustavus Adolphus's Leo Spry would send one more shot high in the 36th minute, marking the only other shot of the half following DeCarne's goal.

Halftime: North Park 1, Gustavus Adolphus 0

In the second half of play, North Park out-shot Gustavus Adolphus, 10-2, but the Gusties would send in the one that mattered. Matt Gibbons sent a cross towards Otis Anderson in the 87th minute, whose header proved to be the late equalizer. 

This goal would conclude the scoring through regulation, as the Vikings and Gusties were tied at one.

End of regulation: North Park and Gustavus Adolphus tied at one

Through the next two overtimes the Vikings would out-shoot the Gusties, 7-1, but the score remained the same. After 110 minutes of play, the two teams geared up for a shootout.

All of the Holmgren Athletic Complex held their breath, as the Gusties and Vikings traded successful kicks to the tune of a 4-4 tie. In their fifth and final attempt, North Park's DeCarne put the Vikings up 5-4 with a shot to the right side of the net, as the nation's second-leading goal-scorer in Cole Schwartz stepped up. Sophomore goalkeeper Edin Sabovic, who replaced junior goalkeeper Mathias Stulen at the end of regulation, loosened up in goal for what was sure to be the most important moment of his career.

In dramatic fashion, Sabovic feinted to his right and dove left, knocking the shot away from danger as the Vikings advanced over the Gusties in a PK shootout, 5-4.

FINAL: North Park 1, Gustavus Adolphus 1 (NPU advances on 5-4 shootout)

Quick Hits:

• The always-strong NPU defense allowed just two shots on goal in 110 minutes
• DeCarne sent in his seventh goal of the season in the 20th minute
• Cindahl tallied his third assist of the season
• Sabovic's save advanced NPU to the third round of the NCAA Tournament

What's Next?

Once more, North Park (16-4-2) has been selected to host the third and fourth rounds of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. The Vikings will play Calvin College (21-1-1) this coming Friday, November 22, at the Holmgren Athletic Complex. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.