DECORAH, Iowa -- North Park Men's Soccer flat out finished plays in their 3-1 road win over Luther College on Friday night. The Vikings refused to let off the gas in the second half, hustling for loose balls while taking advantage of some misplays by the Luther defense.
The Vikings had no shortage of opportunities in the first half, showcased by 10 shots total and four shots on frame. However, it would be the Norse that would break the scoreless tie.
In the 12th minute, Javier Pastor Valls navigated a busy NPU defense before a bouncing ball found Ethan Ducklow, who finished the job with a score at 12:11.
A flurry of scoring chances would arrive midway through the first half, beginning with a shot by fifth-year forward Jostein Blindheim saved by Luther goalkeeper Jack Bell. A free kick and corner kick for NPU allowed sophomore forward Carson Belcher to fire back-to-back shots that were blocked by Norse defenders. Junior forward Angel Arismendiz also got in on the action with a shot saved in the 33rd minute before Luther cleared the ball into their half of the field. This would conclude the major scoring chances for the half as Luther held a 1-0 advantage at the break.
Not long after halftime, Arismendiz would dribble among five Luther defenders in the box before a left-footed shot was deflected off the face of a Norse defender and into the goal for his first goal at North Park, arriving in the 56th minute.
North Park took the lead in the 58th minute thanks to hustle on their end and a lazy pass by the Luther defense. Backtracking towards their goal, a Norse defender moved the ball backwards towards their keeper before sophomore midfielder Bastian Eikeland sprinted through, intercepted the pass in the box, and scored with a right-footed shot to put NPU up, 2-1.
Hustle would prove to be a factor again as a 40-yard pass up to Blindheim was just out of reach. Blindheim, with a full head of steam, knocked the ball loose for sophomore midfielder Vidar Rydell to clean things up, firing a shot just inside the left post for a score in the 69th minute.
That third goal by North Park took the wind out of Luther's sails, as the Norse only managed a few more shots, highlighted by a near breakaway from Francesco Mungari saved by sophomore goalkeeper Ludvig Almborg, as the Vikings took the victory, 3-1.
What's Next?
North Park (3-0-2) has a quick turnaround, staying in Iowa to play Wartburg College in Waverly. Kickoff tomorrow, September 14, is set for 5:30 PM.
