By SCOTT NOVAK
Niles Daily Star

A late goal by Kalamazoo Loy Norrix’s Maddie McBarnes gave the visiting Knights a 2-1 Big 16 Conference crossover victory over the Niles soccer team Monday night.

The Vikings led 1-0 on a goal in the 34th minute off a direct kick by Alex McIntee, but that would be the extent of the Niles offense the rest of the night.

McBarnes tied the score at 1-1 two minutes later and the match remained deadlocked until the final five minutes.

McBarnes scores with 4:43 remaining in the match to lift Loy Norrix to the victory.

“We did okay, but we’re still not generating enough offense,” Niles coach Jo Schau said following the match. “We play a pretty defensive dominated game and then we hope on the little chances our offense gets we can pull one through.”

The Knights outshot the Vikings 13-2 in the match, which illustrated Schau’s point.

The Vikings will now await word on their opponent for the Big 16 Conference Tournament, which is slated to begin on Wednesday.

Loy Norrix…2
Niles…1
Halftime score
Loy Norrix 1, Niles 1

First half
N – Alex McIntee 34th minute
LN – Maddie McBarnes 36th minute

Second half
LN – McBarnes 75th minute (Kate Jacobs assist)
Shots on goal
Loy Norrix – 13
Niles – 1
Saves
Loy Norrix 1
Niles – 11 (Katie Butler, Sarah Smith)