The Niles soccer team rebounded from its first loss of the season to defeat host Kalamazoo Central 4-1 Saturday.

The Vikings (7-1-1) dropped a 1-0 decision to Portage Central in its SMAC West opener Thursday.

Niles scored three second half goals to beat the Maroon Giants in a SMAC non-division match.

“A good win for us after struggling against Gull Lake and Portage Central,” first-year Niles coach Ryan Haines said. “We played around with our formation and made some changes that we feel really helped us win this game. So far I would call with our best win. Our speed on the flanks and our possession throughout the midfield was better than it has been recently.”

The match was deadlocked at 1-1 at halftime as Ben Sanford scored in the 10th minute for Kalamazoo Central and Ben Florkowski got the tying goal in the 38th minute.

In the final 40 minutes, Niles got goals from Alex Jasper (44th minute), Florkowski (54th minute) and Cooper Hullinger (77th minute).

Conor McKiernan and Mitchel Park had the assists on the final two goals.

Trey Scott had nine saves for the Vikings.

 

NILES 4, KALAMAZOO CENTRAL 1

Halftime score

Niles 1, Kalamazoo Central 1

 

First half

KC – Ben Sanford 10th minute (Ryan Halloran assist).

N – Ben Florkowski 38th minute.

 

Second half

N – Alex Jasper 44th minute.

N – Ben Florkowski 54th minute (Conor McKiernan assist).

N –Cooper Hullinger 77th minute (Mitchel Park assist).

 

Saves

Niles 9 (Trey Scott)

Kalamazoo Central 2 (Ramiro Torres)

 

PORTAGE CENTRAL 1, NILES 0

At Portage Central

Halftime score

Portage Central 1, Niles 0

 

First half

PC – Wess Toufanji 11th minute (Penalty Kick).

 

Saves

Niles 10 (Trey Scott ).

Portage Central 7 (Nick Kuppler).

Varsity record: Niles: 7-1-1, 0-1 SMAC West.