Niles’ Derrick Nzabakira (16) tries to get around a Battle Creek Central defender Tuesday evening. Nzabakira had a goal and an assist in the Vikings 4-0 victory over the Bearcats. (Daily Star photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

By SCOTT NOVAK

Niles Daily Star

Cicone Palmore had a pair of goals, while Derrick Nzabakira had a goal and an assist as the Niles soccer team opened up the Big 16 Conference Tournament with a 4-0 win over visiting Battle Creek Central Tuesday night.

The Vikings grabbed a 1-0 halftime advantage and never looked back after netting three goals in an 11-minute span early in the second half.

Nzabakira opened the scoring in the 24th minute off an assist from Christian Rackley.

The score remained that way as the Vikings dominated play at both ends, but could not find the back of the net the rest of the opening 40 minutes.

That wasn’t a problem in the early stages of the second half, however.

Palmore scored back-to-back goals in the 44th and 49th minutes, while Cole Allison completed the scoring a few minutes later.

Niles would have several more scoring opportunities in the second half, but could not capitalize.

The Bearcats had just five shots on goal the entire night as they just couldn’t penetrate the Niles defense  effectively.

“It was a simple adjustment at halftime,” Niles coach Jerry Holtgren said. “They (Battle Creek) played in about a 20 yard area as far as depth-wise. We started dropping the ball and working it outside trying to pull their defenders out so we could play in the middle.

“In the second half we scored three goals in 11 minutes and that’s exactly how it happened. We pulled their defense out, played into the middle and scored.”

Niles held a 16-5 advantage in shots on goal.

The Vikings will now head to Marshall on Thursday for the second round of the conference tournament.

Battle Creek…0

Niles…4

Halftime score

Niles 1, Battle Creek 0

First half

N – Derrick Nzabakira 24th minute (Christian Rackley assist)

Second half

N – Cicone Palmore 44th minute (Rackley assist)

N – Palmore 49th minute (Nzabakira assist)

N – Cole Allison 51st (Jonathan Eddy assist)

Shots on goal

Battle Creek 5

Niles 16

Saves

Battle Creek 10

Niles 3