Thanks to Dr. Jeff Nelson for the pictures
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The 23rd-ranked North Park University men's soccer team beat the 14th-ranked North Central Cardinals in overtime by a score of 2-1 on Saturday night at the Holmgren Athletic Complex. The Vikings improved to 6-0-0 in CCIW play which puts them alone in first place, while North Central fell to 4-1-1—good for second.
The first half of this game was categorized by the staunch defense of North Central. Scoring chances were limited for both sides but the occasional shot found its way on goal, only to be sent back out to the midfield—which is where a majority of the match took place. As such, a scoreless tie was showcased before both teams broke for halftime.
Following halftime, the game took on a physical tone that wound up resulting in eight total cards being administered in the second half alone. Continuing the defensive trend of the first half, none of the goals scored in the second came from play in the field. Rather, each side took their turns scoring penalties. The first of which came after North Park committed a handball foul in the box. NCC's Johnny Kraemer converted on the PK to give the Cardinals a temporary 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the second half.
Midway through the second, North Central's Jack Fairwood garnered his second yellow of the game after a loose-ball scrum with Erik Lundeen. Down a man, North Central's defense held sturdy until the 85th minute when a scoring chance by North Park's Jesse Anamoo was put to an end by a North Central foul in the box. The resulting penalty was given to NPU captain Peder Olsen to take, and he would not be denied the equalizer.
With a score of 1-1, North Park went into overtime with both momentum and a one-man advantage.
Immediately following the kickoff, Jesse Anamoo had a chance to seal the victory with a golden goal but narrowly missed while being called offside. He would get his retribution almost immediately thereafter. With the help of Gustav Ericsson and Patrick Knap, Anamoo got an almost identical opportunity at the net and this time capitalized for his eighth goal of the season—maintaining the Vikings undefeated conference campaign.
What's Next?
North Park hosts Millikin University, who the Vikings take on for Senior Night at 7pm on Wednesday, October 20, at the Holmgren Athletic Complex.
