Niles’ Jacob Stanage heads the ball against Three Rivers Wednesday evening. (Daily Star photo/RON HARNER)

By SCOTT NOVAK

Niles Daily Star

The Niles varsity soccer team remained unbeaten Wednesday night with a 4-1 victory over visiting Three Rivers in a non-conference match.

The Vikings (4-0-1) scored three goals in the opening half to set the tone.

Christian Rackley had a goal and an assist in the opening 40 minutes of play.

Rackley scored 13 minutes into the match to give Niles a 1-0 lead off an assist from Graham Hoppstock.

The Vikings increased their advantage to 2-0 with a goal in the 18th minute off the assist from Rackley.

Three Rivers averted the shutout with a goal in the 21st minute and the match remained 2-1 until the 33rd minute when the Vikings ended any comeback thoughts of the Wildcats.

Devin Nyers netted the unassisted goal to make it 3-1 heading into halftime.

“Christian is a very versatile player,” Niles coach Jerry Holtgren said. “He just has about as much energy as anyone I have ever coached.”

Holtren also noted that sophomore Hoppstock is getting more minutes and “is going to be a solid contributor for us this year.”

The second half scoring was limited to Kaffim Dafa’s unassisted goal.

Niles outshot Three Rivers 14-4.

Derek Arguello had a save in the first half and Ryan Casey had a pair of saves in the second half.

Three Rivers…1

Niles…4

Halftime score

Niles 3, Three Rivers 1

First half

N – Christian Rackley 13:00 (Graham Hoppstock)

N – Jonathan Eddy 18th minute (Rackley assist)

TR – 21st minute

N – Devin Nyers 33rd minute

Second half

N – Kassim Dafa

Shots on goal

Niles 14

Three Rivers 4

Saves

Niles 3 (Derek Arguello 1, Ryan Casey 2)

Three Rivers 10

Varsity record: Niles 4-0-1