Photo credit: Dr. Jeff Nelson

ALBION, Mich. -- The No.21 North Park University men's soccer team opened up its 2019 season with a dominant 8-0 win over the Albion College Britons on Wednesday night.

The Vikings and Britons traded shots through most of the first half, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. That is, until junior midfielder Gianfranco DeCarne marked the first goal of the season, off an assist from fellow junior midfielder Peder Olsen, to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead.

This score would remain through the first 45, as North Park led by a goal moving to halftime.

Halftime: North Park 1, Albion 0

After assisting on the first goal of the season, Olsen caught fire in the early minutes of the second half. The reigning College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Offensive Player of the Year scored four-consecutive goals in 10 minutes – no, that is not a typo.

Olsen marked his first goal in the 54th minute off an assist from freshman midfielder Niclas Holgersson, his second in the 60th minute from junior forward Gustav Ericsson, his third in the 63rd minute from Holgersson and sophomore forward Angel Barriga, and his fourth on a penalty goal in the 64th minute.

Now holding on to a 5-0 lead, the Vikings piled on a few more goals.

Junior midfielder Alfredo Pichardo netted his first goal of the season in the 75th minute, assisted by sophomore midfielder William Sandkvist and Sandkvist followed suit with his first goal of the season in the 77th minute, assisted by Pichardo and Barriga.

Junior defender Abu Secka capped the scoring for the Vikings with the eighth goal of the game in the 90th minute, as Barriga earned his third assist of the game.

FINAL: North Park 8, Albion 0

Quick Hits:

• Peder Olsen totaled nine points, tallying four goals and an assist
• Angel Barriga and Niclas Holgersson had multi-assist performances with three and two, respectively
• Keepers Mathias Stulen and Edin Sabovic teamed up for the 90-minute shutout, saving both shots they saw
• William Sandkvist and Abu Secka marked their first goals in a Viking uniform

Hot Start:

Despite only playing one game so far, the Vikings already top the CCIW in numerous categories.

Olsen leads in shots per game (7.00), goals (4), and points (9) while Barriga leads in assists (3).

What's Next?

The Vikings (1-0) will make the short drive to play the nation's third-ranked team in the University of Chicago this coming Saturday, September 7. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Amos Alonzo Staff Field.