Mustangs hand Vikings first loss
Published 11:47 pm Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Niles’Kai VanAntwerp (11) and Portage Central’s Hunter Mohney attempt to head the ball to a teammate during the first half of Wednesday’s 2-1 Mustang victory over the Vikings. (Daily Star photo/SCOTT NOVAK)
A pair of goals by Eric Branch just three minutes apart lifted visiting Portage Central to a 2-1 victory over previously undefeated Niles Wednesday night in Big 16 Conference West Division play.
After a scoreless first half, which saw Niles have a goal disallowed on an off-sides and several quality scoring chances for the Mustangs, the two teams finally found the back of the net in the final 40 minutes.
Branch’s first score came off a scramble in front of the goal after the Vikings’ Derek Arguello made the initial save. The score came in the 53rd minute.
Three minutes later, in the 56th minute, Branch launched another shot to give Portage Central a 2-0 lead.
Niles averted the shutout in the 59th minute when Cole Allison crashed the Mustangs’ goalkeeper and knocked the ball in.
Niles’ Cole Allison (right) scored the lone goal for the Vikings Wednesday night in a 2-1 loss to Portage Central. (Daily Star Photo/SCOTT NOVAK)
The Vikings didn’t have many other quality chances over the final 20 minutes and the Mustangs were able to escape with their first victory of the season.
“Anytime you get a win, especially in conference it’s huge,” Portage Central coach Tim Halloran said. “We have become more organized defensively and we didn’t give them many chances. We have come a long way from the beginning of the season. We do good things with the ball, we just have to do more things when we get to the goal.”
Portage Central (1-2-1, 1-0 West Division) poured 23 shots on goal. Arguello had 14 saves for the Vikings.
“They are probably one of the top two teams we will see all year,” Niles coach Jerry Holtgren. “They spread us out and made us work really hard. We got tired the last 24 minutes. I told the kids before the game that I just wanted to see the fire and the fight Niles teams usually have. I told them after they belong with those best teams that put it all out there because they did not give up.”
Portage Central…2
Niles…1
Halftime score
Portage Central 0, Niles 0
Second half
PC – Eric Branch 53rd minute
PC – Branch 56th minute
N – Cole Allison 59th minute (Cody Ortiz-Leonard assist)
Shots on goal
Portage Central 23
Niles 4
Saves
Portage Central 0 (Tad Drabik)
Niles 14 (Derek Arguello)
Records: Portage Central 1-2-1, 1-0 West; Niles 5-1, 0-1 West
