STEVENSVILLE – The final score may have been closer than it was in the first meeting, but the result was still the same.

Sturgis, which defeated Edwardsburg 4-0 in its second match of the season way back in August, edged the Eddies 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Lakeshore High School.

The win on Saturday was a bit more important to the Trojans as they captured the school’s first Division 2 District Soccer Tournament championship.

Sturgis (18-3) trailed 1-0 at halftime as Edwardsburg’s Trent Bybee rammed home a ball that bounced off Trojan goalkeeper Jorge Becerrill in the 27th minute.

That lead stood up for the remainder of the opening 40 minutes of play.

“Our mind-set (when trailing at halftime) was to go back to the basics,” Sturgis coach Kees VanZelst said. “We were rushing things a little bit (in the first half) and didn’t look for the open guys. Also, our passes were a little off. We told our kids if they got an open shot to take it. We have some really fine shooters that can put it in the net. Things started to go a little better for us (in the second half). I give a lot of credit to Edwardsburg. They played a lot stronger than the first time we played them.”

It took just three minutes into the second half for Sturgis to tie things up at 1-1.

Jonas Gathen beat Edwardsburg keeper Ryan Housing.

Eight minutes later, the Trojans took the lead on a goal by Jose Reyes in the 51st minute.
“No excuses,” Edwardsburg coach Ryan Rosenkranz said about Sturgis’ two goals.
“They were good shots from the outside. Any time you have that many bodies in front of you as a keeper you can’t see that ball cleanly. Ryan Housing has played great for us all season long. He played well for us (Saturday) as well.”

Although it had a few chances in the closing stages of the match, the Eddies really didn’t threaten Sturgis.

Sturgis held just a 9-8 advantage in shots on goal with Housing getting credit for three saves and Becerrill five saves.

Sturgis…2
Edwardsburg…1
Halftime Score
Edwardsburg 1, Sturgis 0

First half
E – Trent Bybee 27th minute

Second half
S – Jonas Gathen 43rd minute
S – Jose Reyes 51st minute

Shots on goal
Sturgis 9
Edwardsburg 8

Saves
Sturgis 5 (Jorge Becerrill)
Edwardsburg 3 (Ryan Housing)

Corner kicks
Sturgis 4, Edwardsburg 1

Varsity records
Sturgis 18-3, Edwardsburg 16-3