By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN -- Monday night's soccer match between Brandywine and Buchanan had a different feel than normal.
The 4-2 Buchanan win was actually competitive and the Bobcats had a realistic chance to win, something that has not been true in the past.
Brandywine is enjoying one of its most successful seasons ever but Buchanan withstood the test and continued to dominate the local rivalry.
Buchanan struck first Monday night, scoring in the 18th minute when Chris Cecco took a pass from Rodney Tembo and found the Brandywine net.
Five minutes later Doug Summers gave the Bucks a 2-0 lead. Cecco passed the ball to Summers who headed it off the crossbar and then headed in the rebound.
Brandywine's leading scorer, Andy Low, cut the lead to 2-1 in the 30th minute with an unassisted goal.
Cecco put the Bucks back up by two goals with a 15-yard unassisted goal in the 32nd minute and Buchanan led 3-1 at halftime.
Brandywine again chopped the lead to one goal with a goal in the 46th minute when Garrett Semrinec took a pass from Matt Wieger and beat Buchanan goalkeeper Josh Wahlstrom.
Cecco sealed the victory for the Bucks, however, with his goal off an assist from Jon Peel in the 62nd minute.
Buchanan outshot the Bobcats 19-11. Wahlstrom had eight saves for the Bucks while Kyle Perry had 13 saves for Brandywine.
While McNamara was pleased with the play of his squad, he said he expects something more.
Both teams will take part in the Lakeland Conference Tournament next week, followed by the Division 3 District Tournament hosted by Dowagiac. Buchanan is 10-5-3 on the year and 6-0-1 in the league while Brandywine is 5-6-2 overall and 2-4-1 in Lakeland play.