BATTLE CREEK — Visiting Niles avenged an earlier 2-0 loss to Battle Creek Lakeview with a 2-1 victory in the final round of the SMAC Tournament Tuesday.

The Vikings trailed 1-0 early in the match after Daniel Ramos scored in the sixth minute for Lakeview.

Niles’ Bryant Echeverria tied the score at 1-1 with a goal a minute later off an assist by Mauricio Aquirre.

The score remained deadlocked for the final 43 minutes of the first half and until less than five minutes remained in the contest.

Cooper Hullinger scored the game-winning goal in the 74th minute of an assist by Josiah Rohl.

Drew Gourley made eight saves for the Vikings, who will host Berrien Springs at 5 p.m.

“We are beginning to click at the right time,” Niles coach Ryan Haines said. “Some quality wins against both Battle Creek schools has given us confidence heading into districts next week.

“We decided to change some things up about three weeks ago and those changes have started to take shape. We are continuing to increase the intensity every single day in practice to get ready for Sturgis next Tuesday.”

Thursday for its final home game.

The Vikings will honor their seniors prior to the start of the non-conference match.

Niles will then begin preparation for its Division 2 district opener at Sturgis at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Niles JV soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision to Lakeview.

Jackson Shields had the lone goal for the Vikings.