By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
The Dowagiac girl's soccer team wasn't about to let someone else win the inaugural Dowagiac Early Bird Tournament on Saturday.
The Chieftains (2-0) defeated Buchanan in the opening match, 5-0, and then edged Cass County rival Edwardsburg in the championship match, 1-0.
Edwardsburg (1-1) advanced to the finals with a 3-0 win over Niles.
In a closely fought championship match, Dowagiac scored just 10 minutes into the first half and then held off the Lady Eddies for the victory.
Ashley Caldwell scored the lone goal off an assist from Ashley Brewer.
Dowagiac outshot Edwardsburg, 16-9.
In the opening match against Buchanan, Dowagiac led 1-0 at halftime on a goal by Katie Brosnan in the sixth minute.
Dowagiac held that lead until Brewer scored the first of two goals in the 34th minute.
The Chieftains made it 3-0 in the 43rd minute as Brewer scored off an assist by Caldwell. Dowagiac increased its advantage to 4-0 in the 45th minute as Caldwell scored off an assist from Brewer.
The Chieftains final tally came in the 58th minute as Jami Lutz scored an unassisted goal.
Niles returns to action today at Three Rivers. Buchanan's next match is Tuesday at Parchment.