By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- This season has been one of uncertainty for the Niles varsity soccer team. Injuries have forced head coach Denise Peters to constantly juggle the lineup and try to find the best fit with whatever players are healthy.
The Vikings were not at 100 percent Friday evening, but showed improvement in a 3-2 loss to Big 16 Conference foe Sturgis.
Defenders Elle Glueckert and Claire Molnar dealing with a hip injury and asthma, respectively, and forced constant adjustments to the defense.
Sturgis' Jackie Schaeffer took advantage of the defensive switches and scored all three of the Trojans' goals, two in the first half.
Danie Pulaski gave Niles a 1-0 lead in the first half, but the Vikings then went scoreless until Sarah Barth scored with 25 minutes left in the game.
Sophomore Rebecca Teske played just her second game in goal and impressed her coach.
Niles is now 2-7-2 on the season and will host Loy Norrix Monday.