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THREE RIVERS — With the regular season winding down this week, Niles girls’ soccer coach Jaycee Myer is looking for her Vikings to build momentum for the postseason. 

Coming off Monday’s 2-1 non-league win at Niles Brandywine, Niles, now 4-11-2, came into Tuesday’s road match in Three Rivers looking to maintain that intensity. 

Despite a great second-half effort, the Vikings eventually fell 3-1 to the Wildcats at Armstrong Stadium. The match did not count in the Wolverine Conference standings since the two schools had already met earlier this Spring. That contest ended in a 2-2 tie.

“We fell short tonight, but this is what we’ve kind’ve been working towards. Our kids continue to fight and focus on playing as a team rather than as individuals but its coming together. We’re getting ready for the Vandenberg Tournament Saturday then districts next week,” Myer said.

Three Rivers built a 2-0 lead after the first 40 minutes, getting goals from its star senior tandem of forward Tori Thorbjornsen (10:35) and midfielder Paige McDonald (5:28).

The Wildcats increased its advantage to 3-0 on Natalie McGahan’s penalty kick at 39:06 of the second half.

McGahan was credited with two assists and McDonald added one helper for Three Rivers, now 8-6-3. 

Junior Analia Olivares scored the lone goal for Niles at 32:09  in the final half off an assist from classmate Maria Villafana. 

The outcome was a bit disappointing given the fact that the Vikings held a 16-6 advantage in shots on goal.

Niles goal keeper Haili Martz recorded four saves in goal.

“Our goal keeper does a great job of keeping the ball in front of her. I also thought Amity Riggenbach stepped up tonight to play our centerback position and we moved our striker Morgan Hopper into the middle and she brought intensity, along with Nyla Hover for us in the second half. I’m very proud of every one of our girls,” Myer said. 

“Our plan coming into this match was to communicate well. We had a couple defensive breakdowns, but other than that I think they did a great job,” Myer said.

Three Rivers’ netminder Rebekah Beachey made 15 saves.

Wildcats’ head coach Travis Shubnell, who recently recorded his 100th win at Three Rivers, praised the play of Niles afterwards as well as his own squad.

“We knew this was going to be a competitive game. Our kids have some speed, especially up front. Niles battled and had some chances. This match was much closer than they score indicates,” Shubnell said.

Niles turns its attention to Saturday’s Vandenberg Tournament. The Vikings then visit Paw Paw on Thursday, May 22 in its Division 2 district opener at 6 p.m.