Freshman forward Jaleesa Garner scored eight goals, while sophomores Kortnei Suggs and Janye Butts each added a pair of goals on the day as the trio led the Cassopolis soccer team to a championship in the annual VanDenBurg Invitational Saturday.

From the onset of the tournament it was clear that the Rangers where in a different league than their opponents. They opened the day up with an 8-0 victory over host Brandywine. Garner scored five goals for her team and the Cass defense completely shut down the Bobcats, limiting them to just one shot on net in 60 minutes of play.

Cassopolis would move on to the finals to face Niles (who beat Buchanan 2-1 in its first game) for the championship.

Though the Vikings faired a little better than the Bobcats (even holding a lead), the contest was still heavily one-sided in favor of the Rangers as they score six unanswered goals to close out the Vikings.

Garner had a hat trick and Suggs added two goals as Cass rolled to a 6-1 victory. The Rangers outshot the Vikings 24-9.

The lone goal against Cass in the tournament came off of the foot of Alexis Arnold, who scored on a corner kick.

In the Vikings’ first game, forward Sasha Zidar scored two big late game goals to rally Niles from a 1-0 deficit and over the visiting Buchanan Bucks 2-1

Jada Meahl scored Buchanan’s only goal in the contest.

Buchanan went on to defeat Brandywine 6-2 in the consolation game.

 

VanDenBerg Invitational

Championship match

Cassopolis… 6

Niles… 1

Halftime Score

Cassopolis 3, Niles 1

 

First half

N – Alexis Arnold 8th minute

C – Jaleesa Garner 17th minute

C – Kortnei Suggs 18th minute

C – Garner 23rd minute

 

Second half

C – Janye Butts 32nd minute

C – Suggs 39th minute

C – Garner 57th minute

 

Shots on goal

Cass 24

Niles 9