CHICAGO, Ill. — The North Park University men's soccer team continues to climb the national rankings, moving up three spots to No. 22 in the latest United Soccer Coaches (USC) NCAA Division III National Poll released on Tuesday afternoon. The Vikings also remained third in the Region VIII rankings, further solidifying their position among the top teams in the Midwest.
North Park enters the week with an 8-1-2 overall record and a perfect 2-0 mark in CCIW play. The Vikings remain the conference's lone unbeaten team following last Saturday's 2-1 road victory over Augustana.
A strong defensive identity has fueled the Vikings' success throughout the season. North Park owns a 0.91 goals-against average, which ranks second in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW), and has allowed just 10 goals across 11 matches while recording six shutouts. Goalkeepers Melker Regland and Arvid Skoglund have anchored a back line that continue to stifle scoring opportunities, leading to separate CCIW Defensive Player of the Week honors this season.
Freshman forward Gustav Finér leads North Park offensively with five goals and 11 points while also pacing the team with 23 shots. Junior midfielder Bastian Eikeland ranks second with three goals and eight points despite appearing in just seven matches, while senior forward Carson Belcher has contributed two goals and one assist.
The Vikings have also received balanced production throughout a deep lineup. Sophomore forward Noah Cameron and senior defender Dennis Rinne each have five points, while freshman midfielder Matthew Engblom leads the squad with three assists. Defender David Tracewicz has added two goals, both of which stand as game-winning tallies.
Recent performances have further highlighted the depth of the North Park roster. In the Vikings' 2-1 victory at Augustana, Cameron scored his first goal of the season to break a scoreless tie before Leon Ottesen added an insurance goal off the bench.
Regland made three second-half saves to preserve the win as North Park outshot the hosts 23-8.
Regland's standout play earned him the latest CCIW Defensive Player of the Week honor, marking the third consecutive week a Viking has claimed the conference's defensive award. The junior goalkeeper owns a 0.45 goals-against average and .900 save percentage in four appearances this season.
The Vikings stay in conference action for their next game on Wednesday, October 7, hosting Carthage College (2-7-1, 0-3 CCIW) at the Holmgren Athletic Complex.