Ava McKeel had a goal and an assist on Monday as the Niles soccer team blanked Bangor 2-0 in a non-conference match. (Daily Star photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

By SCOTT NOVAK
Niles Daily Star

Niles coach Jo Schau would have liked to have seen her team score a few more goals Monday night against visiting Bangor in a non-league match.

But when victories have been few of late and goals even fewer, a win is a win.

“A win was nice, but we thought we could have played a bit better,” she said. “We could have possessed it better and we could have taken more quality shots. But it’s been a long time since we scored. I think everyone was just happy to take a shot.”

Bangor would have been more than happy to have taken a shot on goal because the Vikings were held without one by a strong defensive effort.

Schau said that the return of Shannon McKeel on defense helped that cause.

The team is also expected to get Nicole Coussens back on Wednesday as well.

“We were hoping that we would get everyone back in time for tournament play and it looks like that is going to happen,” Schau said.

Niles held a 16-0 advantage in shots on goal, including 11 in the first half.

The Vikings finally got on the board in the 50th minute when Ava McKeel scored on an assist from Anne Tyler.

The two reversed roles for the final goal of the evening when Tyler scored in the 75th minute with the assist from McKeel.

Niles will travel to Sturgis for a Big 16 crossover match. Play is scheduled to begin at 6:45 p.m.
Bangor…0
Niles…2
Halftime score
Niles 0, Bangor 0

Second half
N – Ava McKeel 50th minute (Anne Tyler assist)
N – Tyler 75th minute (McKeel assist)
Shots on goal
Bangor 0
Niles 16

Saves
Niles 0 (Katie Butler)
Bangor 16