CHICAGO, Ill. -- The nationally-ranked Christopher Newport men's soccer team earned a split of their two games in Chicago this weekend after a 1-0 win at North Park University (5-2-0) Sunday afternoon. Playing the perennial power on their home field, the Captains got a goal from
Chris Schram in the 64th minute for the difference.
Christopher Newport handed North Park just their fourth regular season loss at home since the 2016 season. The Captains bounced back after a loss to 15th-ranked University of Chicago on Friday night and will return from Illinois with a 3-1-2 overall record.
Schram continued his hot start to the season with the game-winning goal on Sunday off a free kick from just outside of the box. After a foul was whistled just in front of the benches, the Captains' junior transfer stood over the ball for just a moment before whistling a line drive into the near side of the netting. His third goal of the season is Schram's first career winner for the Captains.
The first half of the match played without many offensive opportunites on either side despite 12 total shots including eight by the Captains. CNU challenged the North Park keeper twice while
Cole Irvin needed to make just one stop in goal for the Captains.
In the second half, both keepers faced more chances but only the one goal crossed the end line in the match. Late in regulation, the home team tested the Captains defense with four corner kicks in the final seven minutes of action that led to two blocked shots and one that ricocheted off the crossbar. In the 89th minute, Gustav Ericsson put a shot on frame but Irvin was up to the task, snaring the shot out of the air head-high.
The match was even statistically, with Christopher Newport and North Park each taking 13 shots in the 90-minute display. CNU put five shots on-frame while the Vikings had four.
Christopher Newport will return to the Commonwealth for their next matchup, taking on Washington & Lee University this Friday, September 24. Kickoff against the Generals is scheduled for 5:00 pm.
