The Niles boys soccer team snapped an eight-year losing streak to Lakeshore during the regular season.

On Monday, the Vikings claimed an even sweeter win over the Lancers.

Niles rallied past Lakeshore, 3-2, in Division 2 opening round district action. The Vikings advance to play either St. Joseph or Three Rivers in semifinal action on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Three Rivers High School.

“I think it’s a good step in the right direction as far our program growing and being more competitive,” said first-year Niles coach Danny Rodts, whose team beat Lakeshore, 5-3, during the regular season. “We’ve always kind of taken a backseat to a lot of the teams in our conference. This is one of those baby steps forward. We’ve got to continue to prove ourselves.”

The Vikings scored the last three goals in the match with the game-winning goal coming from freshman Jose Magana with 28:30 left in the match. Magana scored from five yards off a 45-yard free kick from Nicholas Suckle.

“I think (Magana) is probably up there as one of our top scorers,” Rodts said. “He’s just a feisty player. He’s not afraid to get knocked down. I think he plays above his age. He just likes to compete.”

Trailing 2-0, Niles got a much needed goal from Sam Rodts, who scored from five yards with 9:05 left in the first half. Dylan Fillwock’s throw-in and Nicholas Suckle’s kick at the goal were assists on the play.

“I think it helped us to get that first goal in to give us some momentum,” Danny Rodts said. “I thought we possessed the ball well and had control of the game in the first half. We just didn’t capitalize on our opportunities.”

Jake Brawley’s goal from five yards tied the match at 2 with 34:21 left in the match.

“At halftime, we talked about picking up the intensity and attacking them more. We had that desire and want (in the second half) to make something happen.

“We really showed a lot of courage tonight.”

Niles goalie Mika Farinella preserved the 3-2 lead when he stopped a 10-yard shot from Lakeshore’s T.J. Williams with 5:00 left in the match.

The Vikings outshot the Lancers, 15-6, including 9-2 in the second half.

 

Lakeshore…2

Niles…3

Halftime score

Lakeshore 2, Niles 1

 

First half

L – T.J. Williams (penalty kick) 20:16

L – Riley Aukerman (Eric Carteaux) 15:47

N – Sam Rodts (Nicholas Suckle and Dylan Fillwock) 9:05

 

Second half

N – Jake Brawley 34:21

N – Jose Magana 28:30

 

Shots on goal

Niles 15, Lakeshore 6

 

Saves

Niles 3 (Mika Farinella)

Lakshore 6 (Cole Sing)

 

Corner kicks

Niles 5, Lakeshore 0