Contact: Ashleigh Jones, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

Oct. 11, 2017- The North Central College men's soccer team extended its four-game win streak with a nail-biting 1-0 win over the Augustana College Vikings. Initially surprised by the aggression laid out by the Vikings in the opening minutes of the game, the Cardinals had to reset its midfield and come up with a counter attack.

Throughout the first half of the match, most of the possessions occurred at midfield, with each team fighting to get an extra step on the other's defensive line.

North Central's starting back line included Clint Rader, Sean Sweeney, Jared Collier and Spencer Wiese. With the help from the midfield at times the Cardinals defensive team seemed like an impenetrable wall, remaining intact and unwavering no matter the amount of pressure from Augustana.

With the first half evenly played, and both teams frustration evident on the field as the clock ran down, the Cardinals longed to go into the half with an advantage.

As emotions continued to heighten and the score still tied at zero, the physicality of play was noticeable to fans and referees alike. Resulting in three yellow cards between North Central and Augustana to close the half.

Entering the second half of the game Augustana seemed disheveled and conveyed a demeanor of defeat. The Cardinals, however, came out ready to play, utilizing Elmer Eng's size and Jack Bullard's speed to enhance its use of combination plays.

After about nine minutes of play into the second half, it was clear that North Central wanted to close out this game in regulation. Outshooting the Vikings eight to one in those nine minutes alone wore Augustana down.

So much so that at the 64-minute mark the Vikings goalkeeper committed a handball in the goalie box. Providing a stellar opportunity for the Cardinals to take the lead.

Unfortunately, the shot attempt on goal was saved off a deflection, and North Central had to look elsewhere for an opportunity on goal.

That chance on goal came just about 10 minutes later when a deflected pass across Augustana's goalie was rebounded by freshman, midfielder Austin Lombardi. With a leaping shot, Lombardi's kick rocketed past all the Vikings defenders resulting in his first goal of his North Central career.

Stunned and undone the Vikings came roaring back at North Central resulting in Augustana's last three shot attempts on goal. With the incredible ball handling of Jon Borzick, Alexis Flores and Gavin Sanchez, as well as the constant contesting by Andreas Kristiansson and Ryan O'Deen against Augustana's offense the Cardinals, effortlessly closed out the game.

With the support of his team Connor O'Neill recorded his fourth shutout of the season and with this, all team effort the Cardinals once again displayed the fantastic depth of not only soccer acumen on the team but the sheer talent of this team.

North Central is back at home next week to play Carroll College on Wednesday, October 18 at 8:30 PM following the women's soccer game. Come and support both the men's and women's teams as they play at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium or follow along live with NCTV as well as live stats HERE.