NILES – The Niles varsity soccer teams continued its winning streak Saturday afternoon with a 6-3 win over Bangor in a non-conference match.

The Vikings entered the match having won back-to-back games in the Big 16 Conference Soccer Tournament.

Niles jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first 40 minutes of play and then scored three more times in the second half to pull out the victory.

Jonathon Eddy had four goals in the match, while Derrick Nzabakira added a pair of assists and scored two goals.

“We were able to pull away early with three goals in the first 15 minutes,” Niles coach Jerry Holtgren said. “We worked the ball extremely well and played at a pace that I haven’t seen this year. We really controlled the tempo and possession for most of the half and generated some great opportunities. In the second half, Bangor really made a push and tightened things up pulling the score to 4-3.

“They used their speed on the outsides and we were playing too comfortably. I was really happy with how we responded though. We added two quick goals and controlled things to the end. We are playing good soccer at the right time of the year. After a tough stretch, we won three games this week and the team has its confidence back.”

Nzabakira opened the scoring just three minutes into the match off an assist from Eddy.

The Vikings made it 2-0 five minutes later when Eddy took a transition pass from Pierce Knoll and scored from 35-yards out.

The lead reached 3-0 on Eddy’s second goal of the day, this time assisted by Nzabakira.
Bangor averted the shut out with a goal in the 33rd minute.

That’s the way the half ended, but the scoring was far from over.

In the 53rd minute, Eddy picked up his hat trick with another unassisted goal to give the Vikings a 4-1 advantage.

Back-to-back goals by Bangor in the 57th and 59th minute cut the Niles lead to 4-3.
But Eddy scored again in the 66th minute with an assist from Christian Rackley and Nzabakira notched his second goal on a breakaway in the 71st minute to cap the scoring.
Niles outshot Bangor 17-7. Ryan Casey had four saves for the Vikings.

“Jonathon Eddy has really been playing well,” Holtgren said. “His four goals were all great shots and it has been a while since a player has had that kind of performance.

He is making good decisions, getting great contact on the ball and becoming a consistent scoring threat. As a team we played well also. I am proud of the way the young men are practicing and it is showing in their game performances.”

Bangor…3
Niles…6
Halftime score
Niles 3, Bangor 1
First Half
N – Derrick Nzabakira fourth minute (Jonathon Eddy assist)
N – Eddy ninth minute (Pierce Knoll assist)
N – Eddy 15th minute (Nzabakira assist)
B – 33rd minute

Second half
N – Eddy 53rd minute
B – 57th minute
B – 59th minute
N – Eddy 66th minute (Christian Rackley assist)
N – Nzabakira 71st minute

Shots on goal
Bangor 7
Niles 17

Saves
Bangor 8
Niles 4 (Ryan Casey)