CHICAGO, Ill. -- The 22nd-ranked North Park men's soccer team earned their second shutout win against a battle-tested St. Norbert College on Wednesday night. The Green Knights arrived in Chicago with an 0-1-1 record having faced No. 19 Calvin and Hope to open their season.
It was a slower start for Wednesday's contest as the first half of the match was played scoreless. North Park dictated the pace of play, sending in nine shots against St. Norbert's three. The Vikings also had four corner kick chances while preventing any from the Green Knights.
St. Norbert had a near miss in the 31st minute when a 30-yard free-kick chance for Joe Meade bounced off the crossbar. Vikings' sophomore defender Hugo Neborg (Halmstad, Sweden, Sannarpsgymnasiet), sophomore forward Emil Svenander (Täby, Sweden, Tibble), and sophomore defender Teo Helm (Hässleholm, Sweden, Hässleholms) all sent shots on goal, but neither side found the back of the net.
The lone goal arrived in the 72nd minute of the contest. A 35-yard strike from junior midfielder William de Carro (Västerås, Sweden, Widénska), assisted by freshman midfielder Mathias Soerum (Brumunddal, Norway, Storhamar), was the decider of Wednesday's match. De Carro tucked the blast inside the upper-left 90 of the goal for his first tally of the season.
Alfred Swärd (Strängnäs, Sweden, Thomas) recorded a save late in the game, picking up his first 90-minute shutout of 2023. Junior defender Christian Vaaland (Rennesøy, Norway, WANG Toppidrett Stavanger), Helm, and Neborg were all on the field for 90 minutes to bolster a defense that allowed only one shot on frame.
Quick Hits:
- The Vikings were able to hold St. Norbert to just seven shots on the night, only one of which was on frame
- Swärd earns the shutout and win, saving the only shot he saw all night
- North Park posted 16 shots, seven of which were on goal
- De Carro with the lone goal in the 72nd minute
- First collegiate assist for Soerum
What's Next?
North Park (2-0-0) steps away from the Holmgren Athletic Complex for the first time this season when they travel to Kalamazoo this Saturday, September 9. Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM CST.
