By By STEVE MORRISON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – In a virtual repeat of last year, the Niles junior varsity soccer team began its soccer season with a 3-0 "whitewashing" of the Otsego Bulldogs Thursday night in an abbreviated game, cut short with 2:08 left by severe thunderstorms.
Viking head coach Scott Riggenbach commented, "the exact same thing happened last year. We beat Otsego's JV's 1-0, and the skies let loose just before the end of the game, with a minute left. Then the varsity game was cancelled."
The same event practically recurred Thursday.
Niles dominated the game from beginning to end. Otsego only managed three shots on goal for the entire contest.
Goalkeeper Travis Lemanski was equal to the task, shutting out Otsego.
Niles gained a 1-0 advantage from a goal by Christian Ezell at the 31 minute mark of the first half, assisted by Chris Schuck.
The game continued in a see-saw fashion for the rest of the half and for the first 12 minutes of the second half, until Chris Schuck stuffed in an unassisted goal of his own at the 28 minute mark. Schuck, a sophomore in his first year on the team, drew praises from Riggenbach.
"He controlled our offense from mid-field," Riggenbach said. "Jeremy Mutchler, our sweeper, also helped control the offensive surge."
Approximately 70 percent of the time, Niles appeared to be on the attack and at its opponent's end.
After that second goal, there seemed to be little doubt about the outcome of the game. However, the weather was another story. A severe thunderstorm watch soon turned into a warning. The skies darkened, winds picked up and Niles' Justin Stanage, unassisted, rammed home a third goal at 19:55 remaining to virtually assure a victory.
With the impending storm fast-approaching, Niles athletic director John Danaher and high school principal Jim Knoll wisely called a halt to the action with only 2:08 remaining.
Fans and players from both the junior varsity football contest and soccer game scurried into the high school for protection from the impending gully-washer that soon arrived.
Auxiliary power was restored at least 10 times in the building, before a decision was made by adminstrators to prematurely end the JV contest and postpone the varsity soccer game.
Riggenbach was elated.
"I felt like we controlled the game and the ball at mid-field. It was good, positive start to the season. The kids are really coming along," he said.
Niles…3
Otsego…0
First Half
31:00 – Christian Ezell (N), Chris Schuck (assist)
Second Half
28:00 – Schuck (N)
19:55 Justin Stanage (N)
Shots on goal
Niles – 11
Otsego – 3
Saves
Niles – 3 (Lemanski)
Otsego – 8