KENOSHA, Wis. -- The North Park Vikings men's soccer team was able to blank the Carthage Firebirds, 3-0, at Art Keller Field on Wednesday night. Junior goalkeeper Alfred Swärd set a new career mark with eights saves in his shutout victory.
The Vikings came out hot thanks to sophomore forward Michal Dejworek's 13th minute goal, after receiving a header from sophomore midfielder Johan Bjorck, to give North Park an early lead. His 7th score on the season is good for a CCIW 5th-most goals.
The rest of the first half was silent despite Carthage amassing nine shots to North Park's one. The Firebirds had their chances in the first half, earning six corners to the Vikings' one.
The second half of the game was a different story. Once again, the Firebirds had the edge in shots, Vikings 7-6. Carthage also booted three corners to North Park's one in the second half.
North Park didn't stay off the board for long, though, when freshman forward Carson Belcher scored his first collegiate goal in the 57th minute of the match. Junior defender Christian Vaaland put the Firebirds away when he tacked on the final goal of the night in the 70th minute, utilizing a powerful strike off a free kick.
Junior goalkeeper Alfred Sward was locked down between the posts, tallying eight saves en route to complete the seventh shutout of the season.
What's Next?
The Vikings (9-4-2, 4-1-1 CCIW) take on the Wheaton Thunder (10-4-1, 5-0-1 CCIW) at Joe Bean Stadium in Wheaton this Saturday, October 21, at 7:00 PM. A win over the Thunder would leapfrog the Vikings into the top two of the CCIW standings, alongside No. 6 North Central.
