By By SCOTT NOVAK / Vigilant/Argus
EDWARDSBURG - An own goal late in the second half of its opening round game against Sturgis kept the Dowagiac varsity soccer team from defending its Edwardsburg Invitational championship.
The Chieftains dropped a 1-0 decision to the Trojans, while the host Eddies blanked Grace Christian 4-0 to advance to the finals on Saturday.
Edwardsburg went on to win its season-opening tournament with a 1-0 victory over Sturgis.
Dowagiac defeated Grace Christian 3-1 to finish third.
Williams said that his team just didn't finish in the loss to Sturgis in the opening round.
Dowagiac outshot Sturgis 20-11.
Wilson made 10 saves for Dowagiac in his first varsity start.
In the second game, Dowagiac held a 19-5 advantage in shots against Grace Christian.
Brian Edgerly scored twice, while Kyle Kowalski also scored in the first half.
Philip Fisher scored the lone goal for Grace Christian, which also came in the first half.
Wilson had three saves for Dowagiac in the second match.
The Chieftains (1-1) will now regroup and head to Parchment on Wednesday for another non-conference match.
Dowagiac's junior varsity squad will travel to Cassopolis on Tuesday to play the Rangers' varsity at 5 p.m.
Coloma…0
Edwardsburg…2
The Edwardsburg Eddies improved to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Lakeland Conference with a 2-0 victory over visiting Coloma Monday night.
Phillip Turner scored both goals for the Eddies after a scoreless first half.
Turner's first tally came with 32:28 remaining in the match with an assist from Josh Marschke.
Turner scored just over two minutes later off an assist from Ryan Wenrick.
Edwardsburg Invitational
First round
Dowagiac…0
Sturgis…1
Goals:
D – Tyler Cook (own goal)
Grace Christian…0
Edwardsburg…4
Goals:
E – Jeremy Watkins (Pat Strong)
E – Watkins (T.J. Treat)
E – Philip Turner (Ryan Wenricle)
E – Turner (Doug Shuttleworth)
Championship match
Sturgis…0
Edwardsburg…1
Goals:
E – Dougle Shuttleworth (John Marschke)
Coloma…0
Edwardsburg…2
At Edwardsburg
E - Phillip Turner (Josh Marschke) 37:28
E - Turner (Ryan Wenrick)