CHICAGO, Ill. – The North Park women's soccer team gave top conference opponent Illinois Wesleyan a run for its money on Saturday evening, falling 5-2.
The first shot of the game, coincidentally, was the first goal as IWU's Lauren Shanks found the back of the net in the 7th minute. North Park battled back, earning a corner kick and pair of shots by Agnes Back and Ida Elise Hjelle. However, the Vikings trailed at the half, 1-0.
Lina Bogg drove the neutralizer just inside the left post in the 57th minute, off a 20-yard free kick, giving the Vikings a much-needed boost early in the second half. However, just minutes later, IWU's Caelyn Steffens put the Titans ahead with a 15-yard low shot in the 59th minute.
The Titans extended their lead in the 70th minute on another goal by Shanks, but the Vikings would make it a one-goal game in the 76th minute. Hjelle chipped a perfect corner kick towards the left post where Back would tap a one-yard shot, closing the gap to 3-2.
Once more, the Titans would extend their lead thanks to a PK goal by Caelyn Steffens. IWU tacked on one more goal with 35 seconds left in the game when Tegan Timerman broke away from everyone before finishing with a shot into the right side of the goal.
Quick Hits:
- Goals for Back and Bogg, assist for Hjelle
- Eight saves for Emily LaSalle
- Titans total 21 shots to Vikings' nine
- North Park held the corner kick advantage, 4-2
What's Next?
North Park (3-8-2, 1-3-1 CCIW) hits the road next Wednesday, October 19, for a match with Carthage College (0-7-5, 0-4-1 CCIW). Kickoff in Kenosha, Wisconsin will be 7pm.
