By SCOTT NOVAK

Dowagiac Daily News

It wasn’t the prettiest of matches, but the outcome was just fine with Dowagiac soccer coach Mike Williams.

On a night when the Chieftains honored their seniors, a pair of sophomores scored the final two goals in a 6-4 Wolverine Conference win over visiting Otsego Monday night.
After letting leads of 3-0 and 4-2 slip away, Dowagiac got goals from Craig Zebell in the 70th minute and Hazen McMeeken four minutes later to give the Chieftains their fifth conference win of the season.

Dowagiac built a 3-0 lead when McMeeken scored in the eight minute and senior Derek Simpson scored back-to-back goals in the 10th and 12th minutes to get the Chieftains off on the right foot.

But the Bulldogs would have nothing with rolling over for the Chieftains in their final home match.

Goals by Kyle Cupp in the 13th minute and Eric Dennis five minutes later cut the Dowagiac lead to 3-2.

The Chieftains would increase the lead to two goals (4-2) in the 34th minute on McMeeken’s second goal of the night.

Dennis and Cupp would find the back of the net again to start the second half to knot the score at 4-4.

Dennis scored first in the 41st minute and Cupp completed the scoring for the Bulldogs in the 47th minute.

Both teams would have solid scoring chances over the next 23 minutes, but neither team was able to get the ball into the net until Zebell beat the Bulldogs’ goalkeeper with the winner.

Dowagiac finished with a 24-19 shots on goal against Otsego.

“It was not the prettiest win, but it was a win,” Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. “We got a little out of control and started playing kick ball with them and got out of our game. We need to tighten it back up and prepare for Paw Paw this Wednesday.”

Otsego…4
Dowagiac…6
Halftime score
Dowagiac 4, Otsego 2

First half
D – Hazen McMeeken 8th minute (Juan Meza assist)
D – Derek Simpson 10th minute (Americo Martinez assist)
D – Simpson 12th minute (Americo Martinez assist)
O – Kyle Cupp 13th minute
O – Eric Dennis 18th minute
D – McMeeken 34th minute

Second half
O – Dennis 41st minute
O – Cupp 47th minute (penalty kick)
D – Craig Zebell 70th minute (Adrian Martinez assist)
D – McMeeken 74th minute (Americo Martinez)

Shots on goal
Otsego 19
Dowagiac 24