By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Niles soccer coach Jerry Holtgren said his team had a tough draw in the Division 2 District Soccer tournament this year. But the Vikings nearly pulled off an upset of fourth-ranked St. Joseph in the first round Monday, falling 2-1 in overtime.
The Vikings actually held a 1-0 lead over the Bears with less than three minutes remaining. But a goal by St. Joe's Evan Lint with 2:32 remaining forced overtime.
It was the second time in as many matchups this season that the two teams have gone to overtime 1-1. When St. Joe visited Niles on Sept. 21, the game ended in a 1-1 tie after double overtime.
Eleven minutes into the extra period, the Bears' Patrick Buursma nailed a kick into the upper right corner of the goal past Niles goal-keeper Cory Coquillard to end the Vikings' upset dreams.
Though Niles was three minutes away from victory, the Vikings were heavily outshot by St. Joseph 23-4. The Bears outshot Niles 16-2 while holding the Vikings scoreless in the second half.
Niles' lone goal came with three minutes remaining in the first half off the foot of Michael Tanke, unassisted.
Although the Vikings defense gave up a lot of shots, Coquillard was tough in goal for Niles, collecting four saves on the night.
Holtgren said his is proud of his defense as a whole because it limited St. Joseph's powerful offense to two goals, which both came very late in the game.
The Vikings end their season with a record of 9-6-2. St. Joseph moves on to face Mattawan Wednesday at Three Rivers.