NILES — Niles freshman Alexis Arnold had three goals and an assist as the Vikings wrapped up play on their home turf Thursday night with a Big 16 Conference Soccer Tournament victory over the Kalamazoo Cougars.

The Cougars are a home school team that fills the 16th spot in the tournament bracket.

Niles scored five goals in the first half en route to its third consecutive victory.

Arnold had two of her three goals and a assist, while McKayla Book, Taylor Hess and Anne Tyler also found the back of the net.

Book opened the scoring just six minutes into the match on an unassisted goal.

Arnold made it 2-0 in the 13th minute with an assist from Eva Nemeth and then Taylor Hess scored five minutes later to make it 3-0. Katrina Gard, one of two seniors on the Niles roster, got the assist.

The Vikings capped the first half scoring with a goal by Anne Tyler with an assist from Arnold in the 25th minute and then Arnold notched her second goal with an assist from Ava McKeel in the 35th minute.

“We played really well,” Niles coach Jo Schau said. “It’s a nice way to head into districts.”

The only goal in the second half came off the foot of Arnold in the 52nd minute.

The Vikings held a 20-6 advantage in shots on goal with Sarah Smith stopping all of them before being replaced late in the match by freshman keeper Jordan Welch.

Niles will make the short trip over to Brandywine on Saturday for the rescheduled VanDenBerg Invitational. The Vikings will play at noon.

Niles will then open up Division 2 District Tournament play on Tuesday when it heads to Edwardsburg to face the Eddies at 5 p.m.

Kalamazoo…0

Niles…6

Halftime score

Niles 5, Kalamazoo 0

First half

N – McKayla Book 6th minute

N – Alexis Arnold 13th minute (Eva Nemeth assist)

N – Taylor Hess 18th minute (Katrina Gard assist)

N – Anne Tyler 25th minute (Arnold assist)

N – Arnold 35th minute (Ava McKeel assist)

Second half

N – Arnold 52nd minute (Kayte Miller assist)

Shots on goal

Kalamazoo 6

Niles 20

Saves

Kalamazoo 12 (Alexandra Spilson)

Niles 5 (Sarah Smith, Jordan Welch)