CHICAGO, Ill. – The North Park University men's soccer team returns to College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) action this Saturday, October 25, with a pivotal home matchup against North Central College. Kickoff at Holmgren Athletic Complex has been moved up to 2:00 PM CT, setting the stage for a high-stakes afternoon showdown between two postseason hopefuls.

North Park (8-5-1, 3-3 CCIW) enters the contest following a 0-0 draw against Wisconsin-Platteville on Wednesday night. The Vikings' defense, anchored by goalkeepers Ludvig Almborg and Arvid Skoglund, posted their fourth shutout of the season, continuing a strong defensive stretch that has seen them allow just one goal over their last two matches.

Meanwhile, North Central (7-1-7, 3-0-3 CCIW) rides into Chicago unbeaten in conference play and fresh off a 1-1 draw with Illinois Wesleyan. The Cardinals boast the league's top offense, leading the CCIW in goals (32), assists (30), and total points (94). Freshman forward Joseph Sargent headlines the attack with a conference-best 12 goals, including three game-winners.

Key Players to Watch

• North Park

  • Bastian Eikeland – The sophomore midfielder leads the Vikings with 4 goals and was named CCIW Newcomer of the Year in 2024.
  • Kevin Perez – A consistent scoring threat with 4 goals this season, including two game-winners.
  • Hugo Neborg – All-American defender and team captain, instrumental in organizing the backline.

• North Central

  • Joseph Sargent – Leads the CCIW in goals and ranks second in total shots (44).
  • Marco Costabile – A creative midfielder with a team-high 9 assists, including two in the draw against Illinois Wesleyan.
  • Griffin French – Anchors the Cardinals' defense, which has allowed just 15 goals all season.

By the Numbers

• North Park ranks fourth in the CCIW in goals per game (2.15) and fifth in assists (21).
• North Central leads the league in shots per game (20.9) and corner kicks (108).
• The Vikings have a 3-1 home record this season, while the Cardinals are unbeaten on the road in CCIW play.

What's at Stake

With the CCIW tournament on the horizon, Saturday's match carries significant postseason implications. North Park sits tied for fourth in the conference standings, while North Central is third and looking to solidify their spot. A win for the Vikings would boost their tournament seeding and momentum heading into the final week of regular-season play. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM CT, preceding the women's game.