DE PERE, Wis. -- The Vikings men's soccer team won Wednesday's matchup with the St. Norbert Green Knights by a score of 4-0 after entering the second half in a 0-0 tie.
It took 54 minutes, but the game was finally broken open after a hectic sequence in the St. Norbert box posed a golden opportunity for sophomore William De Carro. It started with a crossed-in free kick from Frans Dao, bouncing off a number of Vikings and Green Knights before winding at the foot of Teo Helm who placed it right in front of the left post for De Carro.
North Park promptly followed with an insurance goal 7 minutes later. Isak Flo received a cross in the box from Tobias Lunde, sparking an ensuing fight for possession. Angel Barriga then cleaned up the loose ball and sent it to the back left of the net to make it a 2-0 Vikings lead.
Barriga would again administer another Vikings goal in the 75th minute, this time as facilitator. Rocco Wallin played a through ball down the left side to Barriga who crossed it over to Willy Wickman on the right edge of the box. Wickman took one touch, letting the ball bounce before volleying it past the keeper into the left side of the net.
The Vikings 4th and final goal was a long distance stunner from Andreas Rakket. The play began with a breakaway by Willy Wickman, which, after getting broken up, careened over to Jostein Blindheim who sent a cross into the left side. The ball was received by Glen McGowean and then rolled the over to Rakket who sent in a laser from 30 yards out. The goal gave the Vikings a 4-0 lead that they would hold onto for the remaining 10 minutes. The Vikings defense gets credit for the clean sheet, holding the Green Knights to 4 shots on goal that GK Alfred Sward made easy work of.
What's Next?
North Park's next matchup comes against the #15 ranked St. Olaf, who the Vikings knocked out of last year's NCAA Tournament with a 1-0 shutout victory. Holmgren hosts the Oles Friday night at 7:00 PM in what should be the Vikings' biggest test to-date in the young 2022 season.
