Kai VanAntwerp scored a trio of second half goals as Niles rallied for a 4-1 win over visiting South Bend Trinity Monday.

Trinity got on the board first and held a 1-0 advantage throughout the opening 40 minutes of play.

Kevin Ackerman staked Trinity to the one-goal lead in the 12th minute.

VanAntwerp tied the game in the 46th minute on a header from Graham Hoppstock’s corner kick.

Hoppstock then scored the winning goal nine minutes later as he found the back of the net in the 55th minute.

VanAntwerp completed the scoring for the Vikings (4-0) with goals in the 64th and 70th minutes to complete the hat trick.

“We were sleeping in the first half,” Niles coach Dave Jacobs said. “We let a weak get on us and we had to dig our way out. Obviously we played a much better second half. If we would have reversed that and started that way, it would have been a much easier game and everyone would have been calm.”

Niles keeper Ryan Casey faced eight Trinity shots on goal and stopped seven of them.

Tim Pingel stopped seven of the Vikings’ 14 shots on goal.

After four straight non-conference matches, Niles opens up Big 16 Conference West Division play on the road at perennial powerhouse Portage Central Wednesday.

 

Trinity…1

Niles…4

Halftime score

South Bend Trinity 1, Niles 0

 

First half

T – Kevin Ackerman 12th minute

 

Second half

N – Kai VanAntwerp 46th minute (Graham Hoppstock assist)

N – Hoppstock 55th minute

N – VanAntwerp 64th minute

N – VanAntwerp 70th minute

 

Shots on goal

Trinity 8

Niles 14

 

Saves

Trinity 7 (Tim Pingel)

Niles 8 – Ryan Casey

 

Corner kicks

Trinity 6

Niles 9

 

Record

Niles 4-0