Thanks to Dr. Jeff Nelson for the pictures
GALESBURG, Ill. -- The North Park University men's soccer team enjoyed a bounce back win over the Knox College Prairie Fire on Tuesday afternoon, earning a shutout victory on the road by a score of 4-0. In the match, two-time All-American Peder Olsen became the all-time goals scored leader (42) and all-time assists leader (28) passing Jonas Petterson and Gianfranco DeCarne who previously held the respective career records.
The North Park offense blitzed Knox right from the get-go. Olsen and Jesse Anamoo played hot potato with the ball between four Prairie Fire defenders before Anamoo lifted a shot into the left side of the net for the first goal of the game.
Knox had a few scoring opportunities in front of them, but the Viking back line prevented many of their opponents' shots from reaching North Park starting keeper Alfred Sward. One of those big moments arrived when freshman defender Kristoffer Risnes slid in front of a point-blank shot in the box, knocking the ball away from any harm.
Halftime: North Park 1, Knox 0
North Park's defense contributed significantly to the next goal early in the second half. Risnes, Angel Barriga, and IsacEsfandyari teamed up to dispossess a long pass from Knox before moving the ball to Erik Lundeen in the corner. Lundeen maneuvered the defense before sending a low cross into the box, where senior Peder Olsen one-touched the pass into the back of the net to become North Park's all-time goals scored leader.
Continuing to prevent the Prairie Fire from posing any real threats, the Vikings distanced themselves further with goals in the 72nd and 80th minutes on goals from Isak Flo and Patrick Knap, respectfully. That 80th-minute goal featured magnificent passing from the Vikings. Flo charged ahead with the ball before finding Olsen on the outside. Olsen skipped a pass into the box where Knap quickly finished the job, scoring the fourth and final goal of the game.
FINAL: North Park 4, Knox 0
Quick Hits:
- With his 60th-minute goal, Olsen became North Park's all-time leading goal scorer with 42 in his career
- In his third assist of the night, Olsen broke the career assists record, now totaling 28
- Anamoo gets the Vikings started with his fifth goal of the season
- Flo and Knap each with one goal, Flo adds assist
- Third clean sheet of the season for Alfred Sward
- Christian Vaaland named "Man of the Match" after his aerial presence and ability to deal with the Prairie Fire's press
- Vikings fire 11 shots on goal while preventing any on frame from the Prairie Fire
What's Next?
North Park (4-1) hosts 20th-ranked Luther College this coming Friday, September 17, in a key non-conference matchup. Kickoff at Holmgren is set for 7 p.m.