Photo credit: Dr. Jeff Nelson
WHEATON, Ill. – The 15th-ranked North Park University men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw, completing its regular season against the Wheaton College Thunder on Saturday night.
Both defenses came to play in the night's match as North Park and Wheaton were scoreless through 30 minutes. However, Wheaton's Sean Dunlop broke the scoreless tie in the 31st minute with a 28-yard goal.
Despite 17 total shots – 13 for North Park, four for Wheaton – in the first half, the Vikings would trail, 1-0, moving to halftime.
HALFTIME: Wheaton 1, North Park 0
In the second half of play, Wheaton began to play a more reserved game, limiting its offense to just one shot in an attempt to maintain its 1-0 lead.
However, in the 84th minute of play, junior midfielder Peder Olsen received a pass from sophomore forward Patrick Knap inside the box and finished the play with his 18th goal of the season, knotting the match at one goal each.
This score would stand through regulation, as the rivalry match moved to overtime.
The ensuing two overtimes would prove to have no effect on the outcome of the match. North Park fired three shots in the extra 20 minutes and Wheaton marked one, but the two teams would play to a 1-1 draw to cap their regular seasons.
Third-straight title for NPU men's soccer - from Wheaton SID Brett Marhanka
Quick Hits:
- Olsen tallied his 18th goal of the season in the 84th minute
- Olsen's 37 career goals and 22 career assists (96 points) is a new all-time best at North Park
- The North Park offense heavily out-shot Wheaton at 24-6 (6-2)
- North Park ends the season with its third-straight league title
What's Next?
North Park (13-4-1, 6-1-1 CCIW) will host the fourth-seeded Elmhurst College Blue Jays next Wednesday, November 6. for part of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament. Kickoff is currently TBA.
