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North Park University Athletics

TournChampsIWU19
1
Illinois Wesleyan IWUM (9-8-2)
2
Winner North Park NPU (15-4-1)
Illinois Wesleyan IWUM
(9-8-2)
1
Final
2
North Park NPU
(15-4-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Illinois Wesleyan IWUM 1 0 1
North Park NPU 2 0 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Contact: Tyler Woolbright, Sports Information Director, tawoolbright@northpark.edu

OTD, 2019: Men's Soccer Wins Fifth CCIW Tournament Championship, Earns Automatic Bid to NCAA Tournament

DeCarne becomes all-time assists leader with 26

Photo credit: Dr. Jeff Nelson

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The 19th-ranked North Park University men's soccer team brought home its fifth College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament title in program history with a 2-1 win over Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday evening. The win gives the Vikings an automatic bid to the 2019 NCAA Tournament, advancing to the national playoff for the second time in three seasons.

North Park cruised to a 4-0 win against Illinois Wesleyan earlier in the season on October 12, so the opening goal was a shock to everyone inside the Holmgren Athletic Complex.

After the Vikings were dispossessed, Illinois Wesleyan quickly moved the ball into Viking territory. Next, senior midfielder Doug Ballard skipped a pass to junior forward Keagan James who finished the play with an early first-minute goal.

Fortunately, despite Illinois Wesleyan switching to a conservative, defensive formation, the Vikings would even the score in the 17th minute.

Junior midfielder Gianfranco DeCarne maneuvered the Titan defense before bouncing a pass to freshman midfielder Niclas Holgersson. Holgersson left-footed the one-touch shot inside the right post for the equalizing goal.

DeCarnetoHolgIWU19

Next, in the 37th minute, sophomore midfielder Angel Barriga sent a quick shot towards the Titan keeper, who misplayed the ball next to sliding junior midfielder Peder Olsen. Olsen wasted no time in utilizing the open net, quickly standing up to tap in a shot for the would-be game-winning goal.

Olsenchipiwu19

The 2-1 lead would hold through the next 53 minutes, as North Park earned its fifth CCIW Tournament championship in program history.




FINAL: North Park 2, Illinois Wesleyan 1


Quick Hits:

  • DeCarne becomes the all-time leader in career assists with 26
  • Olsen secured his 19th goal of the season
  • Barriga added his eighth assist of the season
  • North Park's defense allowed just two shots on goal
  • The Vikings extend their unbeaten streak to eight matches while winning 12 of their last 14 contests


What's Next?

North Park (15-4-1) awaits its opponent and location of play for the 2019 NCAA Tournament. The NCAA Division III men's soccer selection show will take place on Monday, November 11 at 12:30 PM CST. 


FOLLOW THE SELECTION SHOW HERE

2019 INTERACTIVE NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET


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