CHICAGO, Ill. – The Trine University men's soccer team threatened a comeback late, but ultimately fell to their hosts from North Park University by the score of 3-1.
The Vikings scored on the only shot on goal of the first half, taking the 1-0 lead into the intermission. They added a second goal off of a corner kick 15 minutes into the second half.
The 2-0 deficit remained in place into the 89th minute of play, when an offside against North Park gave the Thunder a possession. Nikola Bastaic ended up with the ball near the midpoint of the attack side. He passed it back to Tyler Niemi who carried it to the far side of the pitch before passing up to Dalton Douglas. The sophomore carried to the corner before firing a pass across the face of the goal and allowing Bastaic to bury the shot.
The goal pulled the team back within one, but a quick response by the home team stifled the comeback attempt. A minute later the game went final at 3-1.
Brandon Walker played the game in net for Trine. His strong middle portion of the contest, where he made his four saves, gave the team a chance for the comeback bid.
The team will play their home opener on Wednesday, September 10. They are set to host Bluffton University at 5 p.m. on Weaver Field.
