By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac girls' soccer team has plenty of experience, however, it must replace two key players from last season if it is going to be successful.
Dowagiac's season opener against Allegan scheduled for tonight has been postponed due to the weather.
No make up date has been announced.
First-year coach Michael Williams must find replacements for Darcy Butts and Amanda Brossart.
Although it returns nearly the entire squad from last season, Butts' play in the midfield and Brossart's goalkeeping will be sorely missed.
Returning for the Chieftains will be Ashley Brewer, Ashley Jessup, Hillary Bissnett, Danielle Stanton, Ashley Caldwwell, Jami Lutz, Amanda Bowman, Amanda Schilling, Maria Hernandez, Danielle Boyd and Shannon Potenza.
New to the squad are Stephanie Cooper, Mallory Luthringer, Katie Brosnan and Jenny Key.
Schilling, Cooper and Boyd are the lone seniors on this year's squad.
Luthringer, Brewer, Jessup, Caldwell, Lutz, Bowman, Hernandez and Key are all juniors.
Brosnan, Bissnett and Stanton are sophomores.
Williams also said that his first girl's squad, Williams coached the Chieftain boys last fall, is willing to work hard and has set some goals it wants to achieve this season.
With tonight's opening being postponed, Dowagiac will begin preparation for Wednesday's home opener against Lakeshore.
The junior varsity match is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. with the varsity match scheduled to begin at approximately 6:15.
Dowagiac will also host South Haven this week. The Chieftains and Rams are scheduled to play on Friday.
The junior varsity match is set for 4 p.m. with the varsity match slated for 5:45.
The Chieftain junior varsity team will be coached by Craig Black.