By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- The Lady Vikings looked to be in control after a second-half goal by Ashley Pingel gave them a 1-0 lead, but visiting Delton Kellogg saw it differently.
The Panthers tied the game on a shot by Nikeata Bechtel after Niles goalkeeper Patricia Clabaugh came out of the goal and was unable to control the ball.
With the score tied 1-1 with 23:45 left in the game, neither team was able to score again and they settled for the draw.
After a scoreless first half, Pingel broke the drought about ten minutes into the second half when Rachael Storm's pass found Pingel alone in front of the goal. As Delton goalkeeper Rachael Molesworth came out of the goal, Pingel slipped the shot past her to give the Vikings the only lead of the game.
Clabaugh came up injured on the Delton scoring play. As she tried to stop the ball it was kicked by a Delton player and apparently injured Clabaugh's hand at the same time. Bechtel picked up the loose ball and found the open net.
Niles managed 11 shots on goal and Clabaugh had eight saves. Jeni Pedzinski, who relieved Clabaugh, had one save. The Panthers also took 11 shots and Molesworth had seven saves.
Niles travels to Kalamazoo Central Monday.
The Niles junior varsity soccer team beat Delton Kellogg 2-1 with goals by Nicole Fink and Mandy Robson. Courtney Cox and Danie Pulaski had assists.