By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Niles' JV and varsity soccer teams had a tough time against visiting St. Joseph Wednesday evening as both teams sufferd losses in the Big 16 West Division contests.
Niles' JV team played tough against the Bears only losing by one, 2-1.
At halftime St. Joe was up 1-0, but entering the second half Bri Donohue scored the first goal for Niles at the 43 minute mark tying the match at one.
A penalty shot on the Bears' side put St. Joe back in the lead by one goal and eventually gave it the win.
Niles' varsity team had a little more struggle against the Bears as it lost by 10, 11-1.
Danie Pulaski made the first and only goal for the Vikings assisted by Amber Peters at the 6:36 mark, but St. Joe had already scored a goal 30 seconds into the game.
Niles coach Denise Peters admitted her team had a lot of trouble on defense that eventually cost them thematch. "We had trouble in the middle. We left it open a lot and it allowed St. Joe to get up the field and make those goals," Peters said.
The Vikings stepped up on defense and closed the middle, which didn't allow St. Joe to get the ball up the field as easy, but the damage had already been done.
Niles, now 4-1-2, will host River Valley at home on Friday. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
Niles JV team, now 2-2-3, will travel to Kalamazoo on Friday to face Kalamazoo Christian. Game time is set for 5 p.m.