The Edwardsburg girls soccer team took advantage of its scoring opportunities in a 6-0 win over Niles on Thursday.

In each half, the Eddies scored three goals on six shots. The Vikings were unable to score on their 11 shots.

“We struggled last night (in a 4-1 win over Dowagiac) in getting off to a good start,” said Edwardsburg girls soccer coach Brett Harring. “Scoring early in this game kind of opened things up for us. We calmed down and played free.”

Makayla Shaw’s penalty kick goal gave the Eddies a 1-0 lead with 27:29 left in the first half. Noelle Kraus added a breakaway goal and Tinsley Elliott scored off a corner kick from Gabi Fonseca during the first half.

Kraus, Ashley Swartz and Joelly Baldwin each scored in the second half for Edwardsburg. Kraus and Swartz each scored on a breakaway shot, which bounced off the hands of Niles freshman goalie Avyion James.

“I think our midfield did a good job finding everybody who was open,” Harring said. “Noelle worked really hard up top to drop balls off. It was nice to get girls in who haven’t played a lot this season. Some of them got goals and that’s the ultimate goal.”

Edwardsburg goalie Hailee Hebard stopped six shots in recording the shutout.

The Vikings best chance to score came in the second half when Jaycee Myer attempted a penalty kick. The shot went wide left.

Niles girls soccer Jo Schau, who saw her team fall to 2-7, talked to her team for several minutes after the game.

“We struggled on offense and defense,” said Schau. “We’re big-time deflated. We’ve played some tough competition and it’s tough when you think you can’t win. We’re just trying to get a little bit better everyday. Hopefully, we’ll be able to turn things around and get our confidence back up.

“Edwardsburg was ready. This was a big game for them. They played well and never gave up. They communicated and moved the ball well and created some nice opportunities for themselves.

“We didn’t conquer on the chances that we had. I think we got deflated after their PK goal. We kind of buried our heads down a little bit.”

 

EDWARDSBURG 6, NILES 0

At Niles

Halftime Score

Edwardsburg 3, Niles 0

 

First Half

E – Makayla Shaw (penalty kick) 27:29

E – Noelle Kraus 5:49

E – Tinsley Elliott (Gabi Fonseca) 1:31

 

Second Half

E – Kraus 31;39

E – Ashley Swartz 18:18

E – Joelly Baldwin (Fonseca) 5:55

 

Shots On Goal

Edwardsburg 12, Niles 11

 

Saves

Edwardsburg 6 (Hailee Hebard)

Niles 4  (Bailee Kessler 3, Avyion James)

 

Corner Kicks

Edwardsburg 3, Niles 3

Varsity records: Edwardsburg 6-2-1, Niles 2-7