The Niles boys soccer team will be looking to win its seventh consecutive VanDenBerg Invitational Saturday.

The Vikings, who are now coached by former Dowagiac girls coach Ryan Haines, defeated Cassopolis 9-1 in the championship match in 2015.

Niles scored 17 goals in the two victories while allowing just one.

Cassopolis reached the finals with a shootout win over Brandywine.

The Vikings will host Buchanan in the opening match at 10 a.m., while Brandywine will host the Rangers in the other semifinal also at 10 a.m.

The championship match is being held at Niles High School at noon. The consolation, also at noon, will be played at Brandywine.

“I’m excited to coach in my first VanDenBerg tournament on Saturday,” Haines said. “We have a good opponent in Buchanan first. It gives me a chance to get a good look at the boys and the progress we have made so far since I have been named head coach.

“Last year Niles had excellent form in winning the VanDenBerg tournament. This year we want to keep the trophy at Niles, as it will give us a good start to a promising fall season.”

Brandywine coach Evan Winkler is proud that his team is a part of the tournament.

“It is an honor to compete in this great tournament with Cass, Niles and Buchanan,” he said. “It is my understanding that
Mr. VanDenBerg helped get soccer started at all of our school so we have this tournament every year to honor him. We are very appreciative about it. It also kicks off the year for everyone and helps me see where my team needs to improve and what we need to focus on during practice. We are looking forward to it.”

The matches will consist of two 30-minute halves. A shootout will decide the winner if the match is tied after 60 minutes.

Admission is $5 and no passes will be accepted.

Concessions will be available at Niles.