CHICAGO, Ill. -- The nationally 18th-ranked North Park Men's Soccer reached double digits in their undefeated 2024 run on Saturday night, handily beating the Augustana Vikings 3-0. The Vikings from Chicago prevented any shots on goal while plenty of fancy footwork led to scoring chances for North Park.
One shot would arrive on frame through the first 45 minutes, and it was a pivotal one. In good position on a near throw-in, junior forward Angel Arismendiz tossed the ball to freshman midfielder Bastian Eikeland, whose quick header found a one-touch shot from junior forward Michal Dejworek in the 11th minute to put NPU ahead, 1-0.
A much-improved Augustana squad worked to go on the offensive, but the Vikings' defense did not allow a single shot to make it to freshman goalkeeper Ludvig Almborg. The Vikings from Rock Island only managed three wayward shots in the half, as the Vikings looked to add through the next 45.
In a half that showed eight cards distributed, North Park thrived in the chaos.
Eikeland found himself involved once more, as he and freshman defender Hannes Malmén found junior defender Hugo Neborg with momentum 30 yards out. After briefly settling the pass, Neborg sent a rocket towards the goal too hot to handle for the second score of the game in the 52nd minute.
North Park would tack on one more less than two minutes later when freshman defender Dennis Rinne crossed the ball over to midfield, glanced off the head of Eikeland, and sophomore midfielder Thomas Roenning finished with a shot nearly parallel to the end line for the third Viking goal.
This half, junior defender Teo Helm and company did not allow a single shot from Augustana, able to play up on the offensive for the majority of the half en route to the 3-0 win.
Quick Hits:
- Goals by Dejworek, Neborg, and T. Roenning
- Three assists for Eikeland, one each for Malmen, Rinne, and Arismendiz
- No shots on goal for Augustana
- Eight cards distributed, including a red for the Rock Island Vikings
- Sixth shutout for Almborg, who turned some minutes of goalkeeping time over to freshman Melker Regland tonight
- Vikings stay undefeated through CCIW opener
What's Next?
North Park (7-0-3, 1-0 CCIW) stays in CCIW contests through the next four games, beginning with an away match with the Millikin Big Blue on Wednesday, October 2. Kickoff in Decatur will be 7:30 PM CT.
