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Vikings Teams Victorious in Opening Week Play
CHICAGO, IL (September 6, 2005) - North Park Viking football and men's and
women's soccer teams all scored opening victories in the first week of
competition, with the men's soccer team earning a ranking in the
region's Top Ten. The volleyball and cross country teams also had
promising starts.
Inspired by a stifling defense, the football team defeated the Kentucky
Wesleyan Panthers 23-13. "They hit hard out there," said Coach Robin
Cooper. The defense held the Panthers offense to just 200 yards, and
allowed less than a yard per rush for only 22 yards on 24 carries.
Although shaky at times, quarterback Mike Haehn connected with wide
receiver Jon Harris for three touchdowns. He was intercepted once and
threw for 228 yards. The Vikings added 111 yards on the ground to rack
up a total of 389 yards total offense. Cooper said he was pleased with
the yardage, but that the team still needs to work on finishing drives.
He added, though, that the game was a confidence booster.
The opening play from scrimmage provided a frightening moment when
Panther running back Zach Joiner lay motionless after he and freshman
defensive back Mike Phyfiher collided helmet to helmet. Joiner was
hospitalized with what was called a minor spinal injury, said Cooper,
but was released today to return to his home in Alabama.
In other sports action:
- The men's soccer team scored two shutout victories, defeating the
Milwaukee School of Engineering 2-0 on Thursday, and overpowering Marian
5-0 on Sunday. "I thought our team played a solid game on Sunday,
especially in the second half," said Coach John Born. "I was real
impressed with freshman Elvis Fikic as he came off the bench and
registered his first collegiate hat-trick." The freshman also scored one
of the two goals on Thursday. The victories earned the Vikings a top ten
ranking in the Central Region, being listed ninth. Holding on to that
ranking will be a challenge. "We've got a tough task ahead of us and the
next four teams we play are all ranked either nationally or regionally,"
Born said. That includes back-to-back away games this weekend. On Friday
the Vikings travel to Ohio Wesleyan, which is ranked tenth nationally,
and then play the next day at Ohio Dominican, which is ranked second in
the Great Lakes Region.
- The women's soccer team struggled Thursday in the first 15 minutes
of its opener, allowing Maranatha Baptists to score in the eighth
minute, but the rest of the away game belonged to the Vikings, who won
8-1. It was the first time new coach Kyle Lubrano-Fluhr was able to see
her team laden with freshmen perform in inter-collegiate action. The
team tied 2-2 with Kalamazoo on Sunday.
- The Viking volleyball team went 2-2 in the Eagle Invitational at
Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. Defensive specialist Dana
Wilson was named to the all-tournament team.
- The women's cross country team took fifth place at the Elmhurst
"Earlybird Invitational." The team finished with 122 points. "I'm
extremely pleased with the way the women ran today," said Coach Tracy
Murnane. "We have an excellent blend of experienced runners and
newcomers that make us a viable threat in every race we run."
- The men's cross country team finished sixth at the "Earlybird
Invitational" with a team total of 140 points. "I thought the guys went
out there and ran a great first race for the 2005 season," said Coach
Elliott Nott.
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