BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team dropped its homecoming match against College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opponent North Park University, 4-2, Saturday, Oct. 11. Illinois Wesleyan falls to 5-6-2 on the season and 0-2-1 in CCIW play, while North Park climbs to 7-6-0 on the season and a perfect 4-0-0 on league play. 

NPU led Illinois Wesleyan in shots (16-15) and shots on target (10-6). Sophomore Vanessa Gray (Burlington, Ontario, Canada-Frank J. Hayden) recorded five saves in her 90 minutes between the pipes. 

In the 28th minute of the game, North Park struck first. Following a Titan throw-in, the Vikings charged towards the goal. Just outside of the goal box, NPU's Hannah Björkegren rocketed a shot off the hands of Gray and in to give the visitors a 1-nil lead. 

Two minutes into the second period, a cross from junior Ava Mapes (Golden, Colo.-Lakewood) into the goal box found the feet of sophomore Taylor Haun (Metamora, Ill.-Metamora Township), but Haun was unable to capitalize, narrowly missing a shot to the right of the goal. 

The Vikings went ahead 2-nil in the 59th minute after Sofia Svensson capitalized on a one-on-one opportunity.

The two-score lead would not last long, as less than 10 minutes later a free kick opportunity set the Green and White offense up. The free kick found its way to senior Bree Corday (Bloomington, Ill.-University High) 18 yards out who headed the ball out to sophomore Ellen Dahlquist (Peoria, Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame). Dahlquist took one dribble and booted a shot from 25 yards out, scoring a goal for her second of the season. 

However, the Vikings would score twice more in the second period, giving NPU a comfortable 4-1 advantage. With under two minutes remaining, Mapes found the back of the net from the six after an incredible pass from senior Kayley Carew (Peoria, Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame), as the Titans cut into the Viking lead, 4-2. North Park's offense proved to be too much to handle, as the Vikings remained undefeated in CCIW play.

The Titans remain at home Wednesday, Oct. 15 against league foe Augustana College. Match time is set for 7 p.m. under the lights at Neis Field.