By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac varsity soccer team after having to wait a few extra days to open its season, finally got a chance to face some competition on Monday.
The Chieftains made the most of their opportunity as they blanked Benton Harbor, 10-0, in Big-16 Conference West Division action.
Dowagiac (1-0) had its original season opener postponed by weather. It was also supposed to play on Friday against South Haven, but had to postpone that game as well.
Dowagiac scored five goals in each have against the Lady Tigers.
Danielle Boyd opened the scoring as she found the net just seven minutes into the match.
Danielle Stanton followed Boyd's lead and scored 10 minutes into the match with an assist by Ashley Caldwell.
Boyd scored the second of her three goals at the 20 minute mark to make it a 3-0 contest.
Jami Lutz scored the first of her three goals at the 26 minute mark, while Hillary Bissnett finished the first half scoring at the 35 minute mark with an assist from Boyd.
In the second half Lutz opened the scoring just two minutes into the period.
Boyd made it 7-0 at the 50 minute mark as she collected the hat trick.
Lutz got her third goal of the game two minutes later with an assist from Ashley Jessup as the Chieftains upped their advantage to 8-0.
Ashley Brewer found the net 60 minutes into the match.
Caldwell completed the scoring four minutes later as she tallied the Chieftains' 10 goal of the contest.
The game was halted at that point due to the mercy rule.
Dowagiac outshot Benton Harbor 35-0 in the contest.
The Chieftains get right back into action on Wednesday as they step out of the Big-16 Conference and take on Brandywine.
The Bobcats will host the Chieftains beginning at 5 p.m.