By By STEVE MORRISON / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN – In a tight championship game the Niles Vikings soccer team pulled out a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a young Brandywine Bobcat squad that played them tough to the final buzzer on Saturday.
The VanDenBerg Invitational, hosted by Buchanan at their middle school soccer field complex, is named after the late Dr. Phillip VanDenberg, a well-known Niles dentist, who, along with trophy presenter Rudy Kappe and Rev. Bob Livingston, helped found the Optimist soccer programs in the Niles and Buchanan communities in the late 1970s.
Niles…2
Brandywine…1
As championship games should go, this nail-biter went right down the end with Niles claiming a narrow 2-1 victory over the inspired play of Brandywine.
The Vikings have now won all six tournaments.
Niles struck first in the contest with a goal by Alex Welch in the early going of the initial period. Greg Beaver, assisted by Matt Liebetrau, evened the score 1-1 near the end of the first stanza.
Colin Freas scored the winner in the first moments of the second half. Brandywine kept fighting for the tie, but it just wasn't to be.
Winning coach, Jerry Holtgren was enthused by his team's victory.
"Although we have probably won this event five of the last six years, I would have to say this was probably the most satisfying win. We only have a few guys with real varsity game experience. The team has started of well despite a season-ending knee injury to keeper Taylor Robson," Holtgren explained.
Buchanan…7
Cassopolis…0
In the consolation game the Bucks came back to crush the Rangers with three first half goals by Perry Wahlstrom and one by Andrew Harrington.
The onslaught continued with second half goals by Paul Kidd with a picturesque 30-yard bomb that floated into the net over the leap of keeper Brandon Fitzsimmons. Although embattled all day by opposing offenses Simmons played well enough to make some stellar saves, without much defensive assistance.
Jose Negrete' and Richie Reed closed out the scoring for Buchanan.
Niles…8
Cassopolis…0
The Viking squad dominated coach Chris Bachtel's Cassopolis team in their opener 8-0 with a smothering defense and huge offensive attack that rarely allowed the Rangers past the middle of the field.
With a Colin Freas rebound, a slant in by Alex Welch, and a header goal by Chase Krueger the Vikes, in complete control, built a 3-0 halftime lead.
Goals in the second half by Welch, Freas, Jordan Parks, Levi Riggenbach and Bill Sidritz, who had started in goal finished off the 8-0 rout of the Rangers, with the "Mercy Rule" imposed before time ran out.
Brandywine…2
Buchanan…1
Jim McNamara's band gained their first victory of the season in a suspenseful drama that was decided in a shoot out with the game tied at the end of regulation, 1-1.
Brandywine led at the half 1-0 thanks to Jake Harris' goal midway through the period and some fine goal tending by frosh Brian Exner in his second varsity game.
Brian Pruett's Buchanan Bucks gave a relentless charge to finally tie the score on a goal by Nick Catalano at 1-1 in the second half.
Exner again kept Brandywine in the game with some fine net-minding, and some great help on defense by Will Coar, Nathan Baliant and Joe Saenz.
At the end of regulation it was determined by the referees to settle the tie in a shoot-out, five shots alternating per side.
Brandywine won the shoot-out four goals to Buchanan's two, which resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Cats by shoot-out rules.
Niles…8
Cassopolis…0
First Half
N – Colin Freas
N – Alex Welch, assist Freas
N – Chase Krueger, assist Freas
Second Half
N – Welch, assist Jordan Parks
N – Freas, assist Herrmann
N – Parks, assist Grant Cramer
N – Levi Riggenbach, assist Welch
N – Bill Sidritz, assist Parks
Saves
Niles 3, Cassopolis 20
Shots on goal
Niles 28, Cassopolis3
Brandywine…2
Buchanan…1
First Half
BW – Jacob Harris, assist Greg Beaver
Second Half
BU – Nick Catalano, assist Perry Watson
Shoot-out
Brandywine – 4
Buchanan – 2
Saves
Brandywine 8
Buchanan 6
Shots on goal
Brandywine 7
Buchanan 9
Consolation
Buchanan…7
Cassopolis…0
First Half
BU – Perry Walstrom, assist Tony Payne
BU – Wahlstrom
BU – Andrew Harrington, assist Chris Underly
BU – Wahlstrom
Second Half
BU – Paul Kidd
BU – Jose Negrete, assist Richie Reed
BU – Reed
Saves
Buchanan 2
Cassopolis 13
Shots on goal
Buchanan 22
Cassopolis 2
Championship
Niles…2
Brandywine…1
First Half
N – Welch, assist Nate Allison
B – Greg Beaver, assist Matt Liebetrau
Second Half
N – Colin Freas, assist Zach Herrmann
Saves
Niles 4
Brandwine 9
Shots on goal
Niles 16
Brandywine 5