Chicago, Il., -- North Park Flag football played its first two games in program history this morning at Halas Hall, home of the Chicago Bears. The first game saw the Vikings matched up against the Regents of Rockford University, a team that North Park will play a total of three times this season, and their second game was against the Aurora University Spartans, who the Vikings will play a total of four times this season.
Game 1: North Park v. Rockford University
The Regents got out to a fast 13-0 lead in the first quarter followed by another touchdown early in the second to make it 19-0. However, the Vikings remained composed as quarterback Janiya Greenfield found senior Olivia Eriksson streaking down the middle of the field for the program's first touchdown midway through the second. North Park's defense tightened up the remainder of the game, holding Rockford to the 19 they scored in the first half.
Rockford held the 19-6 lead for the entirety of the third quarter as both teams struggled to find the endzone despite redzone trips for both teams. After a big play to start the drive by Jayla Robinson, Greenfield was able to cap off the drive at the beginning of the fourth quarter with a pass to Ava Balmaseda in the middle of the endzone. With the score at 19-12, head coach Ramon Palma elected to keep the offense on the field to attempt the two-point conversion, but the Vikings were unable to convert.
North Park was able to force the Regents to punt after their scoring drive, getting the ball back with just under ten minutes left to march down the field to tie the game. Greenfield found Eriksson again in middle of the field for a good chunk play for the Vikings offense to get them in scoring range. After getting to the 4-yard line, the Vikings were unable to convert on 4th and goal, turning the ball over on downs. The Viking defense stood tall however, forcing Rockford into yet another punt and allowing their offense one last shot to tie or win the game with just under two minutes left to play. North Park's offense wasn't able capitalize, as Greenfield took a shot at the endzone that was picked off by the Regents.
At 19-12 with close to a minute left of play all Rockford had to do was run the clock out to secure the win. Surprisingly, the Regents elected to pass on their first play after the interception and it was picked off by Robinson after the Rockford player tipped it in the air. Robinson returned it for a Vikings touchdown, breathing life back into the North Park sideline. North Park chose to go for the win, going for the two-point conversion. Greenfield rolled to her right and threw to Paige MacRitchie just inside the endzone but it fell incomplete, securing the win 19-18 win for Rockford.
Game 2: North Park v. Aurora University
The Vikings went right into their second game against the Spartans, and the points were aplenty within the first five minutes of play. Aurora struck first, scoring a touchdown on their first drive but couldn't convert their extra point attempt. Right away the Vikings responded with a touchdown of their own as Greenfield found Robinson in the flat for a 60+ catch and run for the Vikings score. On North Park's extra point, Greenfield's pass was intercepted and taken all the way back for a Spartans score, giving them the 8-6 lead early.
Aurora came back with a long touchdown of their own, converting the extra point to extend their lead to 15-6. The Vikings offense stalled and after another turnover, the Spartans added another score and successful two-point conversion to their total to close out the first quarter up 23-6.
The Spartans stayed hot to open the second quarter with another touchdown taken more than half the field, making it 29-6 after the failed two-point conversion. On the Viking's first play after the Aurora score, Greenfield found Eriksson for a catch and run score, marking her second touchdown of the day and edging North Park closer 29-12. Both offenses would stall for a majority of the second quarter, but Aurora was able to punch a touchdown in with a minute remaining in the half to go up 35-12 as North Park's offense couldn't get within range during their two-minute drill.
Aurora maintained control of the game in the second half adding to their point total as well as tightening up their defense, only allowing one score from the Vikings when Ava Balmaseda scored her second touchdown of the day. The Spartans walked away victorious with a 59-20 win.
North Park faces off against Aurora again next week in their home opener on Wednesday, March 11th at 2pm.
