By STEVE MORRISON
Niles Daily Star

Like an elusive butterfly, the soccer ball escaped the net every time the Vikings had one of their rare opportunities to score in a 3-0 loss to the visiting Sturgis Trojans at Niles High School on Friday night.

Crippled by a series of consecutive injuries, since the beginning of the season, Niles was only able to have 13 of its original 19 players available to play in the contest.

Niles started out on the offensive charge, but with only two available subs was easily worn down by the Trojans.

To their credit, the Vikings managed to keep the game locked in a scoreless tie for the first half.

Sophomore keeper Sarah Smith was able to contribute seven saves during the first 40 minutes, while Alexis McIntee, Shannon McKeel, Kamber Hadley and Samantha Wolkens provided some strong defense for the Vikings.

Niles just couldn’t muster much of an offense. One save was all that was required of Sturgis keeper Amberly McMillin in the half.

Just before halftime, at 37:30, Smith’s point-blank smother of Trojan forward Lauren Kellogg’s driving attempt, was the most dazzling defensive gem of the game.

It didn’t take long for the Trojans to find the net in the second half. Sturgis junior mid-fielder Angie Cottin hooked a crossing pass from teammate Hayley Baker past Smith, at 41:59, to put the first point on the scoreboard.

Less than two minutes later, the Vikings narrowly missed their best scoring opportunity of the night when McIntee lifted a well-aimed corner kick that McKayla Book nearly headed into the goal. The ball just had a mind of its own as it sailed barely over the crossbar.

Kamber Hadley had a solid shot from close in that was picked off by McMillin.

Then Kellogg, who had been threatening to score on several previous attempts, intercepted a careless Niles pass near mid-field and bore down on Smith alone. Her slashing shot escaped Smith’s reach to put Sturgis ahead 2-0 at 58:38.

Cottin scored her second goal of the last period on a feed from Mikala Kunce, sliding it by a diving Smith to round out the Sturgis scoring at 68:18.

Inside 77 minutes, Ava McKeel’s drive down the left sideline was Niles final chance to get onto the scoreboard. The Trojans turned the ball away to add to Nile’s frustration.

Niles coach Jo Schau was pleased with the effort that she obtained from her ladies in the first half.

“It was areally good first half,” she commented. “For two subs, that’s not bad. We got another injury (Ashley Allison, on Wednesday).We got tired (in the second half). We had 19 players, we’re down to 13.So what does that mean?” she explained, in obvious reference to the stamina of the squad.

“This is our 10th game and we haven’t had the same starting line-up in a long time,” she lamented.

Hopefully the young Vikings can regroup and recover from their physical setbacks for a strong second half rally.

Niles now is even with five victories and five defeats. Sturgis raised its record to 6-3-1.

Sturgis…3
Niles…0
Halftime score
Sturgis 0, Niles 0

Second half
S – Angie Cottin 42nd minute (Hayley Baker assist)
S – Laura Kellogg 59th minute
S – Angie Cottin 69th minute (Mikayla Kunce)

Shots on goal
Sturgis 16, Niles 4

Saves
Sturgis 4 (Amberly McMillin)
Niles 14 (Sarah Smith)
Varsity records: Sturgis 6-3-1, Niles 5-5