North Park Earns Conference Title in Men’s Soccer

WHEATON, Ill. – A 1-0 victory over Wheaton College on Saturday gave the North Park Vikings its second straight College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin men’s soccer title, while also giving them the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

North Park scored with 33:44 left in the first half as two-time CCIW Player of the Week PJ Eriksson knocked in the games’ lone goal off a free kick by Gabe Vogler, which was headed by James Rose.

A 1-0 victory over Carthage in Chicago on Tuesday night advanced the Vikings to the championship game, while Wheaton topped Elmhurst 4-1 in the other semifinal game Tuesday night.

Saturday’s win gave North Park its second conference title overall in men’s soccer. Wheaton has won at least a share of 14 of the 17 conference titles dating back to when the CCIW began sponsoring men’s soccer in 1988.

On Oct. 30, North Park was ranked eighth in the central region by the NCAA, while Wheaton was second and Elmhurst was ninth. Pairings for the NCAA Soccer Tournament will be announced on Monday, Nov. 7.

NCAA Regional Men's Soccer Pairings (Division III)