CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park University men's soccer stood toe-to-toe with one of the nation's top programs Saturday evening, battling 14th-ranked Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) to a 1-1 draw at the Holmgren Athletic Complex.
In a match that featured 39 total fouls, seven yellow cards, and plenty of physical play, the Vikings responded to a late first-half equalizer with a strong second-half performance that saw them limit the nationally-ranked Bears to just one shot on goal over the final 45 minutes. North Park finished with a 10-8 edge in shots and put five attempts on target.
The Vikings threatened from the opening whistle. Senior midfielder Thomas Roenning forced a save just 85 seconds into the match before senior midfielder Nico Chavez tested WashU goalkeeper Cal L'Hommedieu with a header less than a minute later.
The early pressure paid off in the 17th minute.
Junior midfielder Bastian Eikeland delivered a long ball from 40 yards out that found senior forward Carson Belcher racing behind the defense. Belcher collected the pass and finished in the lower-left corner to put North Park ahead 1-0 at 16:07 for his first goal of the season.
North Park nearly doubled its advantage midway through the half. Eikeland forced another save in the 27th minute, and Chavez followed moments later with a dangerous opportunity that was blocked. Senior midfielder Leon Ottesen added another quality chance in the 38th minute, but L'Hommedieu again kept the Bears within striking distance.
WashU's best opportunity of the first half came in the 30th minute when senior defender Quentin Gomez headed a corner kick off the crossbar. North Park sophomore goalkeeper Arvid Skoglund also came up with a save on a shot from sophomore midfielder Daniel Kochen to preserve the lead.
The Bears found their equalizer just before halftime. Freshman midfielder Nick Lam and sophomore midfielder Jack Hayeems combined on a quick passing sequence outside the box, setting up sophomore defender Hale Fernandez, who buried a shot into the lower left corner with 54 seconds remaining in the opening half.
Rather than allow the late goal to shift momentum, the Vikings came out aggressively after the break.
The Vikings continued to pressure the WashU defense, earning three second-half corner kicks and forcing the Bears into repeated fouls as the pace and intensity of the match escalated.
Defensively, North Park was outstanding throughout the second half. Skoglund made a save on Lam in the 50th minute, and that proved to be WashU's lone shot on goal after halftime. The Viking back line held firm against a Bears team that generated seven first-half shots but managed only one attempt in the second half.
The physical nature of the match intensified down the stretch as North Park was whistled for 19 fouls and WashU committed 20.
Freshman forward Gustav Finér nearly delivered a late winner in the 86th minute but saw his shot sail high. WashU earned several corner kicks in the closing minutes, yet North Park's defense along the endlines forced more throw ins that were knocked away by the Vikings.
Belcher finished with the Vikings' lone goal, while Eikeland recorded the assist. Skoglund made two saves in goal as North Park would be happier with a win but enjoyed a quality turnaround performance against their second ranked opponent in as many matches.
What's Next?
North Park (0-1-1) returns to the Holmgren Athletic Complex on Monday, September 7, for a non-conference match against Milwaukee School of Engineering (0-2). Kickoff in Chicago is set for 7:00 PM CT.
