By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Even if Ashley Caldwell hadn't shown up late, the Dowagiac varsity soccer team appeared to be in control Monday night at Niles.
The visiting Chieftains scored just one goal in the first half while holding Niles scoreless and to just one shot on goal before exploding for four second-half goals in a 5-0 Big 16 Conference West Division match.
Hillary Bisnett recorded the only goal of the first half as she sent a direct kick over the hands of Niles goalkeeper Ashley Pingel 11 minutes into the game. She scored another goal in the second half on a direct kick that again eluded Pingel and the Viking defenders.
Dowagiac (5-1-2, 2-0) only needed Bisnett's first goal to overcome Niles (2-4-2, 0-2), but got three goals from Caldwell, who came late after another commitment.
Caldwell scored two goals in the first three minutes of the second half to open up a 3-0 lead. Bisnett's second goal came five minutes into the period and Caldwell scored a hat trick in the seventh minute of the second half.
Peters felt her team lacked defensive executing during Dowagiac's scoring streak.
Bisnett played a defender position Monday night, but came up when the Chieftains were awarded direct kicks.
Niles finished with only three shots on goal while Dowagiac fired 12 shots at Pingel who came up with seven saves.