The Niles soccer team wanted to get off to a fast start and get that first goal on the board for two reasons Tuesday afternoon.

First of all, there was the possibility of severe weather that could shorten the match. Second, and more importantly, Niles coach Jo Schau believed her team needed to score first in order to build confidence.

Unfortunately that didn’t happen as Paige Szianfucht scored a pair of early goals as host Edwardsburg advanced to the semifinals on Thursday with a 5-0 win over the Vikings.

“Once we get scored on, we get down and it’s hard for us to get it back,” Schau said. “But Edwardsburg played a good game. They really stepped it up.”

Szlanfucht scored just over two minutes into the match and then again with 27:07 left in the opening half.

It stayed that way the remainder of the first 40 minutes, which were extended by 50 minutes due to a thunderstorm that rolled through the area with 17:52 remaining in the first half.

“It was a really windy game and I think we benefited from warming up going into the wind,” Edwardsburg coach Brett Harring said. “We knew that ball was going to float and I think we caught their goalie off guard. It was nice to see Paige shooting because she normally defers because she’s a freshman. She will pass it off to other people, so to see her take two shots and score two goals was very exciting for me to see.”

After the delay, Niles averted further disaster as the Eddies banged a couple of shots off the post and Vikings’ keeper Sarah Smith made some nice saves.

The Eddies would strike again early, this time in the second half and put the match out of reach.

Jennifer Sporleder scored less than two minutes into the second half with an assist from Szlanfucht.

Brekelle Wiedenmannot made it 4-0 with 32:55 showing on the clock and Macy Stevenson capped the scoring with 12:51 remaining.

Niles actually had a shot at getting back into the match with just over 35 minutes remaining, but its penalty kick skipped off the top of the crossbar.

Edwardsburg also got a penalty kick in the second half, but it too missed as the ball struck the cross bar.

The Eddies advance to Thursday’s semifinals at Lakeshore High School against Sturgis. The match is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

Niles…0

Edwardsburg…5

Halftime score

Edwardsburg 2, Niles 0

First half

E – Paige Szlanfucht 37:58 minute

E – Szlanfucht 27:07

Second half

E – Jennifer Sporleder 38:57 (Szlanfucht assist)

E – Brekelle Wiedenmannot 32:55

E – Macy Stevenson 12:51

Shots on goal

Niles 8

Edwardsburg 24

Saves

Niles 14 (Sarah Smith/Jordan Welch)

Edwardsburg 6 (Sophie Devenney

Varsity record: Edwardsburg 15-3-1