CHICAGO, IL., -- North Park Women's Soccer battled the Cardinals of North Central College Wednesday night at the Holmgren Athletic Complex, but the unbeaten Cardinals (10-0-1) proved too much to overcome as the bested the Vikings 4-1. The Vikings move to 4-8-2 and 1-3-1 in CCIW play while the Cardinals improve to 11-0-1 behind a hat trick from Reese Anderson.
The Vikings found themselves in an early hole as the Cardinals capitalized on their opportunities. Despite creating numerous chances of their own, North Park was unable to break through against a strong North Central defense. The Cardinals scored their first goal in the fourth minute as Madison DeVriendt finished a chance off an assist from Kara Waishwell, and the second goal came in the 24th after Claire Georgees led Reese Anderson for her shot to find the back of the net.
Viking opportunities came often as North Central's defensive play style allows teams to possess the ball and take their shots in hopes the Cardinals can get the rebound and push the ball back up the field using their speed. North Park put up six shots with three on goal in the first half coming from Hannah Björkegren, Astrid Palmblad, and Emilie Østlyngen; with Caroline Sjøstedt, Sofia Svensson, and Selma Rydberg adding shot attempts as well. The Vikings went into the halftime break down 2-0.
North Park came out of with aggression and cut the deficit down to 2-1 early in the second half; in the 54th minute, Maja Applequist sent a high arching pass to the feet of Caroline Sjøstedt just inside the box where she buried her fourth goal of the season. Almost immediately the Cardinals answered with Anderson's second goal of the evening, restoring North Centrals two-goal advantage at 3-1. In the 83rd, Anderson finished the hat trick by converting a penalty kick to push their lead to 4-1.
What's Next?
North Park will have a few days rest before taking the quick trip to River Forest, Illinois to face local rival Dominican University on Sunday, October 18th at 2pm.
