Niles falls to Mattawan 1-0 in district finals

Published 3:23 pm Sunday, October 23, 2016

The best chance Niles has had of winning the school’s second district championship came up a goal short against Mattawan Saturday.

The host Wildcats edged the Vikings 1-0 in the Division 2 district championship match.

After a scoreless first half, Connor Omo scored in the 51st minute off an assist from Nick Hare for the match’s only goal.

“We played a well fought game today,” Niles coach Ryan Haines said. “Our game plan was to mark up on their top scorer (J.T. Hageman) and he was wasn’t able to find the back of the net. The last time we played we didn’t play well and ended up losing 3-0 so we were up for this game.

“Unfortunately for us we just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. We lose 11 seniors off this team for next year so we have some big shoes to fill.”

The Vikings’ only district championship came in 2006.

Niles also reached the district finals last year before falling 1-0 to Mattawan.

 

MATTAWAN 1, NILES 0

At Mattawan

Halftime score

Niles 0, Mattawan 0

 

Second half

M – Connor Omo 51st minute (Nick Hare assist).

 

Saves

Niles 6 (Trey Scott)

Mattawan 4 (Casey Kirkbride)

Varsity records: Niles: 12-9-1, Mattawan: 18-4-2.