BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – A second half disaster struck for the North Park men's soccer team at Neis Field on Saturday afternoon. After going up by two in the first half, the Illinois Wesleyan Titans scored three unanswered goals in the back 45 to steal away the win, 3-2.
Sophomore forward Michal Dejworek scored the first goal of the game in the 12th minute off an assist from junior midfielder William de Carro. The goal was the first shot on frame of the night, as things were moving in the right direction for NPU.
Freshman midfielder posted his first collegiate goal not long after, in the 17th minute, to extend a would-be halftime lead to 2-nil.
However, a North Park foul in the box gave Illinois Wesleyan their first chance. Illinois Wesleyan's Brody Seaton would oblige, halving the NPU lead to 2-1 after converting on the PK at 60:38.
Not 30 seconds later, the Titans broke through the North Park back line, bolting through the middle of the field, as CJ Rodriguez found Faheem Mujahid for the equalizer at 60:59.
After these back-to-back goals, neither team would send a shot on goal until one came off the foot of IWU's Sasha Tylnyy in the 88th minute. However, Rodriguez and Mujahid would connect again in the 88th minute, stunning the Vikings with a late-game goal as they suffered their first loss to the Titans since the 2008 season.
What's Next?
The Vikings (8-4-2, 3-1-1 CCIW) still have three CCIW matches left on their schedule, all on the road. The first will be at Art Keller Field, home of the Carthage Firebirds (7-4-2, 2-2-1 CCIW), this next Wednesday, October 18. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.
