Brandywine’s Alex Humphrey heads the ball away from a Bridgman play during a Lakeland Conference match Monday afternoon. (Daily Star photo/AMELIO RODRIGUEZ)

By DON EDEN

Niles Daily Star

Bridgman stung Brandywine 6-2 in a Lakeland Conference soccer opener Monday at the Bobcat field as the Bees swarmed senior goalkeeper Jason Andrews with another 30-shot barrage, similar to the one Niles brought two days earlier.

The Bobcats looked like the team to beat early with senior Jacob Wieger converting on the first shot of the game just under 6 minutes into the game with a low 10-yard shot.

Senior Josh Bachleda of Bridgman (3-3, 1-0) proved to be too much with two goals and two assists and found the net open midway through the first half to tie the score.

“He (Bachleda) is one of my better players after seven years, but (I’m) trying to get him not to keep the ball so long,” remarked Bridgman coach Woody Woolery.  “These kids are hard workers and my seniors provide leadership.”

Each team scored in the final 10 minutes of the first half as the score was tied at two much to the liking of the Brandywine (2-3, 0-1) faithful as the visitors almost tripled the Bobcats in shots (13-5) and had four corner kicks without allowing any.

“The first half we didn’t play well but the second half was much better as we finished our opportunities, which is good,” stated Woolery. “This team is capable of playing in the semifinals.”

A conference title is definitely possible as Bachleda scored after two minutes in the second half and his seventh well placed corner kick found classmate Michael Kamp’s head to finalize the scoring with just under five minutes left to play.

“Bachleda is an excellent player that finishes and controls the ball exceptionally well, so we wanted to stay in front of him, which didn’t happen,” noted Brandywine coach Evan Winkler. “These good teams we need to learn it takes all 80 minutes to compete because the first half we played tough, but our effort was not there in the second half.”

Andrews was again a stalwart between the posts with 11 saves to keep the Bees buzzing.

“It seems weird this could be my last year playing soccer when it means something since I have been playing with most of these guys for three years, so our chemistry is good,” said Bachleda, who now has seven goals and three assists before school starts next week. “The start of the season is going well and we have a good team overall that would like to win the regional and go on from there.  Academically, Michigan and Notre Dame is where I would like to go, but hope to play if an offer comes my way that I like.”

The nine senior starters for Brandywine will have time to regroup with no game scheduled until next week.

“These kids have good character and should bounce back from this adversity with a good week of practice as it was a tough opening start of the season, but it shows what we have to work on, which is good,” concluded Winkler.  “Our losing record from last year took a toll and we need to bounce back.”

Scoring Summary

First Half

Brandywine – Jacob Wieger, 6th minute

Bridgman – Josh Bachleda, 18th minute

Bridgman — Matt Englund, 31st minute Bachleda assist

Brandywine – Jordan Hatch, 37th minute Elliott Richards assist

Shots – Bridgman 13, Brandywine 5

Saves – Jackson Kamp (Bridgman) 3, Jason Andrews (Brandywine 5)

Corner kicks – Bridgman 4, Brandywine 0

Second Half

Bridgman – Bachleda, 43rd minute Alex Wells assist

Bridgman – Wells, 51st minute

Bridgman – Sammy Higgin, 69th minute

Bridgman – M. Kamp, 76th minute Bachleda assist

Shots – Bridgman 17 (30), Brandywine 2 (7)

Saves – Kamp 0 (3), Andrews 6 (11)

Corner kicks – Bridgman 4 (8), Brandywine 0 (0)

Records – Brandywine 2-3, 0-1` Lakeland; Bridgman 3-3, 1-0 Lakeland

Buchanan at Berrien Springs

BERRIEN SPRINGS — Visiting Buchanan and Berrien Springs played to a 6-6 deadlock in Lakeland Conference soccer Monday night.

Dylan Arnold had five goals, including a hat trick in the second half.

Ryan Catalano had a goal and four assists on the night.

Buchanan…6

Berrien Springs…6

Halftime score

Buchanan 3, Berrien Springs 3

First half

Berrien Goals

Zapata 1 goal

Tsibu-Beckson 2 goals

Buchanan Goals

Dylan Arnold 2 goals

Ryan Catalano 1 goal

Zack Pierce 1 assist

Ryan Catalano 2 assists

Second Half

Berrien Goals

Tsibu-Beckson 3 goals

Buchanan Goals

Dlyan Arnold 3 goals

Ryan Catalano 2 assits

Shots on goal

Buchanan 24

Berrien Springs15

Saves

Buchanan 6

Berrien Springs 7

Varsity record: Buchanan 2-3-1, 0-0-1 Lakeland