W&L Falls to North Park in NCAA Men's Soccer Sectionals

Washington and Lee forward Dylan Ritch
Washington and Lee forward Dylan Ritch

CHICAGO, Ill. --- Despite taking five more shots than fifth-ranked North Park, the Washington and Lee men's soccer team lost to the Vikings, 3-0, in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday at the Holmgren Complex.

North Park (19-1-1) put the first goal on the board in the second minute of the contest. On a counter attack, the ball was played ahead to senior midfielder Shatil Khory on the far side. He then sent a low shot to the opposite post to give NPU a 1-0 lead.

With 4:50 left in the half, the Vikings extended their lead to 2-0. Senior midfielder Chase Lennartz controlled possession on the far side just outside the box, before sending a cross to the center of the box. His pass found senior midfielder Matias Warp, and then Warp shot across his body to tally the goal.

The final goal of the game came in the second half with 22:24 on the clock. Warp dribbled to the top of the box, and then sent a back-heel pass to Lennartz on the near side. Lennartz fired the ball into the far corner for the goal to reach the final margin, 3-0.

The Generals (15-5-2) led in shots, 16-11, but all four of their attempts on goal were stopped by sophomore goalkeeper Mathias Stulen. Stulen played the entire game to earn his 10th shutout of the season.

The Vikings registered nine of their 11 shots on goal, and senior goalkeeper Gillen Beck(Blacksburg, Va./Blacksburg) made six saves, while allowing the three goals in 90 minutes. The Blue and White held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.

This was the third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament for the Generals, and it marked the first time the squad played in the Sweet 16 since 2000. The 15 wins this year tied for the third-most in a single season in program history.

--- This release is courtesy of the Washington and Lee University sports information department. ---
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