Covenant News

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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