LISLE, Ill. – The North Park Women's Soccer team opened their season on a high note Friday afternoon, securing a 3-0 road win over the Benedictine Eagles. The Vikings out-shot their opponent 15-5, including 12-5 shots on target.
There were no concerns about a slow start in this one, as all three of North Park's goals arrived in the first half. Junior forward Sofie Swedberg sent in the first official goal of 2024 in the fourth minute, off an assist from senior midfielder Nora Vangsnes. The tally also happened to be the first shot of the match.
Next, finishing a follow up on a previous shot by freshman midfielder Julia Önnerheim saved by Eagles' keeper, junior midfielder Stine Lie scored in the 29th minute to put North Park by a pair of goals.
Swedberg put pressure on the Benedictine defense once more with a shot that was saved in the 32nd minute before Önnerheim marked her first collegiate goal in the 35th to give the Vikings their final score of the game.
The NPU defense stood tall in this one, as only five shots made it to junior goalkeeper Philemina Toca, who saved them all in her 90 minutes of action.
- Goals for Swedberg, Önnerheim, and Lie
- A pair of shots on goal each for Swedberg, Lie, Önnerheim, senior midfielder Abigail Balmaseda, and sophomore forward Caroline Sjøstedt
- Clean sheet for Toca in her first win of the season
- 17 different Vikings see action
North Park (1-0) hosts its home opener on Sunday, September 1, in a 4pm match with Central College.
