By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Niles varsity soccer team continued its winning ways Monday afternoon when it traveled to Marcellus and took a 7-3 victory in non-conference action.
The Wildcats jumped to an early lead, scoring a goal 1:01 into the contest, but the Vikings tied it up, 1-1, on a penalty shot goal from Michael Tanke at the seven minute mark.
Another goal from Tanke, assisted by Mat Peters, gave Niles a 2-1 lead, but Marcellus was quick to comeback and score a goal to tie the game at two.
C.J. Rumpf scored the next two goals for the Vikings, both assisted by Tanke, to give Niles a 4-2 lead heading into halftime.
Niles opened up the second half with a goal from Tanke, assisted by Colin Smith at the 4:14 mark.
Rumpf scored the next goal for the Vikings, which was again assisted by Smith to put Niles up 6-2.
A fast break goal on Marcellus' end put the Wildcats back on the board, 6-3, but that is the last goal they would see as Smith score the seventh and final goal for Niles on an assist from Rumpf to give the Vikings the 7-3 win.
"I was impressed with Marcellus' intensity and was glad that we could match it," Holtgren said.
Niles had a total of 18 shots on goal and seven saves. saves.
The Vikings, now 3-0, have one day off before traveling to Berrien Springs on Wednesday.