By STEVE MORRISON
Niles Daily Star

The Niles varsity soccer team withstood some late offensive pressure to defeat the Kalamazoo Cougars 2-1, Monday at Niles High School.

Senior keeper Katie Butler played one of her best games in goal for Niles stopping 13 of 14 Kalamazoo shots on goal and the Niles offense supported her effort as it elevated its presence on the attack.

After a tough series of close losses, it was the second victory in a row for the Vikings.

Kalamazoo, an independent home school team, had been invited to play in the SMAC Tourney in order to balance the competition with 16 teams instead of the 15 that are conference members.

Kalamazoo entered the game with an 11-5-3 record.

In the first period, Ashley Allison and Alex McIntee teamed up to provide effective ball control on the offensive front. Ava McKeel, Katrina Gard and Taylor Hess were also in the mix for Niles.

Lacey Stanage, Shannon McTigue, McKayla Book and especially Anne Tyler threw their bodies in to spark the defense in a rough and tumble first 40 minutes.

After 12 minutes had elapsed, Rebekah VanderRoest was denied a goal for Kalamazoo as Tyler deflected her boot from 10-yards out.

Allison’s breakaway in the sixth minute sailed high for Niles. Shortly after that, Butler made a great diving save of Rachel Timmer’s bomb out in front.

Then McTigue, Book and Sam Sisk made successive forward passes to advance the ball into the Kalamazoo end.

Eva Nemeth’s pass to Nicole Coussens found Kalamazoo keeper Jessica Garrison out of position, and Coussens deposited it smoothly into the net for the first score of the game with 15:29 left in the half.

Allison led a charge up the middle of the field. At 29:29 her pass to Ava McKeel ended up in the goal for a 2-0 Niles lead. McIntee ripped a shot with three minutes left, but Garrison was ready to spring on the ball. Despite missing some scoring opportunities it was the best half that Niles had played for quite some time. That carried the momentum into the final period.

Out-dribbling opponents, McKayla Book and Sam Sisk were in ball control for the Vikings at the outset of the second half.
McIntee’s hard shot on goal was snatched in the air by Garrison and Coussens missed a shot barely wide to the right.

Butler made a nice save on Hannah Newhouse, moments later. Niles’ Kayte Miller’s long drive and subsequent pass to Allison was blocked by the Cougars’ Hannah Allison.

Then, after a corner kick was awarded to Kalamazoo’s Katy Freudenburg, her long pass in front of the goal ended in a wild scrum. Marie Freudenburg knocked a loose ball past Butler point blank to put Kalamazoo on the board.

A long punt by Garrison sailed past the Niles defense and set up an excellent chance for the Cougars. A big save by Butler off of Newhouse preserved the lead with less than five minutes to go.

McTigue, Shannon McKeel, Tyler and Stanage helped fend off the Cougars in the waning minutes to seal the Niles win.

“That’s two in a row for us,” stated Niles coach Jo Schau.

Niles had beaten Bridgman last Friday.

“It (the heat) takes its toll on everybody. It was a hot, hot day,” Schau commented as she reviewed the last period accompanied by near 90 degree temperatures.

After a season with serious injuries, Niles has a full roster heading into the final stages of the season.
“We have them all back,” Schau added, with optimism.” Hopefully we’re heading where we need to be.”

Kalamazoo…1
Niles…2
Halftime score
Niles 2, Kalamazoo 0

First half
N – Nicole Coussens (Eva Nemeth assist)
N – Ava McKeel (Ashley Allison assist)

Second half
K – Marie Freudenburg (Katy Freudenburg)

Shots on goal
Niles 12, Kalamazoo 14

Saves
Kalamazoo 10 (Jessica Garrison)
Niles 13 (Kate Butler)