By SCOTT NOVAK

Dowagiac Daily News

Dowagiac soccer teams under the direction of coach Mike Williams have been known for their defense.

But on Saturday at the Chieftain Invitational, Williams’ crew scored eight goals in two matches to win the tournament championship for the first time since 2003.

Dowagiac defeated Niles 4-3 in the first game of the round robin tournament and then knocked off River Valley 4-1.

In between those two victories, Niles defeated River Valley 2-0.

Niles…3

Dowagiac…4

In the opening match, Dowagiac scored at the beginning and the end of the first half to take a 2-0 lead at the intermission.

Breanna Williams scored in the 13^th minute off an assist from Morgan Tanzillo.

The two reversed rolls with 30 seconds to play in the opening 30 minutes as Tanzillo scored off an assist from Williams.

Niles scored a pair of goals in the first six minutes of the second half to knot the score at 2-2.

Shannon McKeel tallied the first goal for the Vikings, while the second goal was credited as an own goal by the Chieftains.

Nine minutes later Williams picked up her second score of the day in the 45^th minute to make it 3-2.

Niles scored again on a Dowagiac own goal to tie the score at 3-3.

A second goal by Tanzillo provided the margin of victory for Dowagiac.

Niles scored a goal in each half against River Valley in winning 2-0.

Niles…2

River Valley…0

Katie Miller tallied the first half goal for the Vikings, while Anne Tyler scored the second half goal.

“We played better the second game,” Niles coach Jo Schau said. “We lost another defender earlier this week and it took us a while to adjust.”

River Valley…1

Dowagiac…4

River Valley struck first in the off a corner kick just three minutes into the match, but it was all Dowagiac from that point on.

Williams scored in the fifth minute off an assist from Kelsie Primley to knot the score at 1-1 and then Tanzillo scored the winning goal in the 24^th minute.

The Chieftains (2-1-1) tacked on a pair of second half goals to complete the scoring.

Primley found the back of the net in the 35^th minute and Williams scored her fourth goal of the day in the 44^th minute.

“We played well all over the field,” Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. “We were able to finish unlike last night (a 1-1 tie with Brandywine). We made minor mistakes which resulted in own goals against, but persevered and made up for it. I am very proud of the girls and their effort today.”

Chieftain Invitational

First game

Niles…3

Dowagiac…4

Halftime score

Dowagiac 2, Niles 0

First half

D – Breanna Williams 13th minute (Morgan Tanzillo assists)

D – Tanzillo 29th minute (Williams assists)

Second half

N – Shannon McKeel 33rd minute

N – Dowagiac own goal 36th minute

D – Williams 45th minute (Tanzillo)

N – Dowagiac own goal

D – Tanzillo (Williams assists)

Shots on goal

Dowagiac 12

Niles 12

Second game

Niles…2

River Valley…0

Halftime score

Niles 1, River Valley 0

First half

N – Katie Miller

Second half

N – Anne Tyler

Third game

River Valley…1

Dowagiac…4

Halftime score

Dowagiac 2, River Valley 1

First half

RV – 3rd minute

D – Williams 5th minute (Kelsie Primley)

D – Tanzillo 24th minute

Second half

D – Primley 35th minute

D – Williams 44th minute