Vikings score three goals in second half for win

Published 7:53 am Thursday, March 28, 2019

NILES — It is not how you start that matters, but how you finish.

Host Niles had a big second half against Bridgman in its come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Bees in non-conference action Tuesday night.

Playing back-to-back matches to open the 2019 season, Niles was a bit sluggish in the first 40 minutes of play as Bridgman took a 2-1 lead on the Vikings.

“We had a rough one today but we never gave up,” said Niles coach Abel Fonseca. “We were down, but kept fighting in until we got a first-half goal from Carrie Couch with assist from Grace Florkowski. In the second half we worked the ball from goal to goal as a unit as Rachel Ortiz got the assist on a goal from Willow Brawley. Sister Skylar Brawley joined in on the action and scored with an assist from Florkowski, which tied the game up 3-3.”

Late in the second half, Florkowski scored the match-winning goal, her second of the day.

Viking goalkeeper Renee Franco finished with five saves.

Buchanan at Cassopolis

The Rangers improved to 2-0 with an 8-3 victory over the Bucks.

Gary scored three goals in each half for Cassopolis.

In the second half, Katelyn Waldschmidt, who assisted on Gary’s final goal of the opening 40 minutes, and Asia Conley scored goals, while Gary added three more goals to her total.

Conley’s goal came on a penalty kick.

“I think our girls played well tonight,” said Cassooplis coach Kevin Waldschmidt. “The offense was able to make quite a few runs thanks to feeds from the midfield and defensive line. We capitalize on them. We were also able to score from three set pieces. The second half is still hard on us because of our small roster and lack of fresh legs, but defense was able to only allow minimal shots on goal.”

Buchanan traveled to Edwardsburg for a non-league match Wednesday.