Photo credits: Dr. Jeff Nelson
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The 12th-ranked North Park University men's soccer team enjoyed a lopsided season opener on Wednesday afternoon, topping Lake Forest College, 4-1, on the road.
Through the first 10 minutes of the game, North Park threatened with three corner kicks, including two that led to a shot on goal. Additionally, the Vikings were awarded a penalty kick in the 11th minute, but Lake Forest keeper Szymon Mocarski made the save to preserve a scoreless game.
However, despite North Park producing the only offense with five corner kicks in 12 minutes, Lake Forest would break the scoreless tie with a goal in the 15th minute.
This Viking deficit would be short-lived, though, as junior defender Erik Lundeen found freshman midfielder William de Carro for North Park's first goal of the season just 21 seconds later.
North Park added one more goal in the 24th minute off the foot of two-time All-American Peder Olsen, who notched his 39th career goal.
This score would remain unchanged through the rest of the first half, as North Park kept a 2-1 lead at the break.
HALFTIME: North Park 2, Lake Forest 1
The Vikings kept their foot on the gas in the second half, as the defense would not allow a single shot from the Foresters in 45 minutes of action. This was juxtaposed by three corner kicks and four shots on goal by the North Park offense in the first ten minutes of the second half.
The Vikings added goals in the 74th minute by a successful penalty kick from freshman forward Jesse Anamoo and an 85th minute goal off the foot of freshman defender Erik Bringman to secure the 4-1 season-opening win.
FINAL: North Park 4, Lake Forest 1
Quick Hits:
- Viking defense holds Foresters to just two shots, no corner kicks
- An astounding 10 corners and 14 shots on goal by the Vikings
- First career goals for de Carro, Bringman, and Anamoo
- Assist for Lundeen in his return to action
What's Next?
North Park (1-0) host its home opener on Saturday, September 4, against Greenville University. Kickoff at the Holmgren Athletic Complex is set for 7 p.m.
