By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Brandywine's boys' soccer team had three separate one-goal leads Monday night, but couldn't keep Berrien Springs off the scoreboard in a 3-3 tie with the Shamrocks.
Each time the Bobcats gained an advantage, Berrien Springs scored minutes later to even the game.
McNamara said his team seemed to play good defense until they took the lead. Then they allowed Berrien Springs players to beat them down the field and score.
Brandywine took its first advantage in the first half on a goal by freshman forward Travis Bakeman. The Shamrocks scored four minutes later, and the score was knotted at one a piece at halftime.
The Bobcats came out the second half as the aggressor, but missed on several scoring opportunities.
With 37:07 remaining in the half, Josh Schlutt broke free from a pack of players in front of the goal and headed in a centering pass to give Brandywine a 2-1 lead.
When Brandywine's John Stapleton slide tackled a Berrien Springs player inside the box with 19:32 left, the Shamrocks put home a penalty kick to tied the score once again.
The Bobcats' defense had trouble containing Berrien Springs senior Akwasi Antwi. Antwi slipped through several defenders twice to score two of the Shamrocks goals.
With the score tied at two, Brandywine sophomore forward Matt Duckett stole the ball from a Shamrocks player at the top of the penalty box.
He then worked around the player and kicked a ball to the right of Berrien Springs' goalie to give the Bobcats the go-ahead score with 8:17 remaining.
Less than four minutes later, with 4:45 remaining, Antwi dribbled up the right side of the field and unleashed a shot.
Brandywine's goalie dove left and got a piece of the ball, but it wasn't enough, as the shot trickled into the left corner to tie the score for good at 3-3.
The tie makes Brandywine 1-2-1 on the season. McNamara said he was disappointed with his team's play and his team needs to improve quickly.