By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
The Dowagiac soccer and softball teams will have championships on their minds tonight and Saturday.
The Chieftain soccer team is hoping that the third time is the charm as they face host Vicksburg in the Division 3 District championship tonight.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Dowagiac coach Michael Williams said he did not know much about Vicksburg. The Lady Bulldogs defeated perennial power Paw Paw in Wednesday's semifinal, 3-1.
Scoring goals for Vicksburg were Anna Polasek, Lindssay Bialas and Cait Barrow.
Polasek also assisted on a pair of goals.
Dowagiac will be led into action by Danielle Boyd, who has now scored a school record 18 goals this season. Boyd had a pair of goals in Dowagiac's 7-2 win over Three Rivers.
Hillary Bisnett has five goals on the season and Ashley Brewer four goals. Stephanie Cooper has recorded seven shutouts in her nine victories.
Softball
Pitching, defense and timely hitting are the trademarks of the No. 2 ranked Dowagiac softball team.
The Chieftains will need all three elements on Saturday in Coloma as it goes after its first district championship since 1993.
Pitchers Kelly Tomczak (21-0) and Jenna Stuppy (15-2) will have to carry the load against Niles in the opening game and then either Lakeshore or Coloma in the title game if the Chieftains do advance.
Offensively Dowagiac is led by Tomczak (.434), Stuppy (.426) and Rachel Minikel (.413).