CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park women's soccer team broke their winless streak in a big way on Wednesday night, beating Carthage College 2-1 inside the Holmgren Athletic Complex.
Halfway through the first half, the Firebirds scored first on their first of two corner kicks of the match. The first half would end 1-0 favoring Carthage, after a 24th minute goal by the Firebirds' Addie Saarenas. North Park held a significant shots advantage at the half, 16-4, including 5-1 shots on goal.
Two minutes into the second half, freshman forward Morgan Wehseler found freshman forward Caroline Sjøstedt for the Vikings' first goal of the match, knotting the match at one goal each. Sjøstedt bolted downfield and juked the Carthage goalkeeper to the left before sending in the equalizer.
Most of the of the second half after the goal, much like the first, was North Park continuing their dominance on the shot chart. The Vikings took a total of 29 shots compared to Carthage's 8, with North Park shooting 10 on goal to Carthage's 4. Senior goalkeeper Campbelle Hunt (3 saves) and the rest of the Viking defense responded well to Carthage's first goal, denying chances while on the back line while Hunt saved a near go-ahead goal when she corralled a header.
With 90 seconds left in the match, freshman forward Caroline Sjøstedt maneuvered her way to the top of the box after a pass from freshman midfielder Maja Applequist, and scored the game winner with a 30-yard strike to the right side of the goal mouth.
As Carthage went into scramble mode to try and tie it up, the defense held on for the last minute and a half, playing keep away after the Firebirds once play resumed.
Top Performers:
What's Next?
The North Park women's soccer team (2-7-5, 1-3-2 CCIW) has two games left, traveling to Wheaton College (5-6-4, 4-1-1 CCIW) on Saturday, October 21, followed by their last home game against Carroll for senior day next Wednesday, October 25.
