From staff reports

Niles snapped Buchanan’s two-year hold on the VanDenBerg Invitational trophy on Saturday.

The Vikings eliminated the Bucks from title contention in the first round with a 1-0 win.

Niles (2-0) went on to win the championship with a 2-1 victory over cross-town rival Brandywine.

The Bobcats advanced to the finals with a 2-1 win over Cassopolis.

Buchanan won the consolation match over the Rangers 3-1.

In the title match, Dustin Wright got Niles on the scoreboard first with a goal in the first minute off an assist by Cicone Palmore.

Brandywine knotted the score at 1-1 in the 12th minute when Jordan Hatch scored off an assist from Jacob Wieger.

The winning goal came in the 27th minute as Cole Krassow converted a penalty kick.

“It was a good way to start our season and figure out where we are and what we need to work on,” Niles coach Jerry Holtgren said. “Both Brandywine and Buchanan played solid games and it was a real competitive tournament. We did a nice job of possessing the ball and controlling tempo, I thought. Our defense was pretty solid as well. In both games, we had the shots we wanted, we just have to finish better. We missed a lot of open looks, but it is an area we will address. It was nice to get a couple of wins to start the season off right.”

Niles’ lone goal in the opening game came off the foot of Jonathon Eddy in its win over the Bucks.

Brandywine got a pairof Jacob Wieger goals in its opening match against the Rangers.

Dylan Arnold had a pair of goals and Ryan Catalano had a goal and two assists to help lead the Bucks past Cassopolis in the consolation match.

VanDenBerg Invitational

First Round

Niles…1

Buchanan…0

Halftime score

Niles 1, Buchanan 0

First half

N — Jonathon Eddy

Shots on Goal

Niles 19, Buchanan 2

Saves

Niles 1 (Derek Arguello)

Buchanan 12

Brandywine…2

Cassopolis…1

Halftime score

Brandywine 2, Cassopolis 0

First half

B — Jacob Wieger 3rd minute (Elliott Richards assist)

B — Jacob Wieger 26th minute (Jordan Hatch assist)

Second half

C — R. Nickel 41st minute

Shots on Goal

Brandywine 7, Cassopolis 3

Saves

Brandywine 3 (Jason Andrews)

Cassopolis 4 (Simpson)

Second Round

Buchanan…3

Cassopolis…1

Halftime score

Buchanan 3, Cassopolis 0

First half

B — Dylan Arnold (Ryan Catalano assist)

B — Catalano

B — Dylan Arnold (Catalano assist)

Second half

C — Penalty kick

Shots on Goal

Buchanan 8, Cass 7

Saves

Buchanan 2, Cass 2

Varsity records: Buchanan 1-1, Cassopolis 0-2

Championship match

Niles…2

Brandywine…1

Halftime score

Niles…2, Brandywine…1

First half

N — Dustin Wright first minute (Cicone Palmore assist)

B — Jordan Hatch 12th minute (Jacob Wieger assist)

N — Cole Krassow 27th minute (penalty kick)

Shots on goal

Brandywine 3, Niles 19

Saves

Brandywine 14 (Jason Andrews), Niles 2 (Derek Arguello)

Varsity record: Brandywine 1-1, Niles 2-0