By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
Brandywine coach Jim McNamara couldn't help smiling after the Bobcats' soccer team beat Coloma 4-1 in Monday's first round of the Division 3 District Soccer tournament. After all, his team hadn't won a district game in six years.
Not only did the Bobcats win, avenging a 3-2 loss to the Comets in the first game of Districts last year, but they won convincingly. Brandywine was able to fire shots at will and limit Coloma to very few attempts.
In the first half, however, it looked as though there would be little scoring. The first 40 minutes were played at a lethargic pace because of the cold, rainy weather and soggy playing field.
Eight minutes into the game, however, Brandywine's Matt Beaver was able to break free and score one of his two goals on the night. The goal gave the Bobcats a lead that it would not relinquish.
Coloma had no shots on goal in the first half, and the Bobcats were limited to very few.
The second half was a different story, as Brandywine came out attacking the goal and firing away. Less than two minutes into the half, Kyle Low notched a goal with a soft touch that tucked the ball just out of the goal-keeper's reach.
Brandywine scored three goals in the half, two coming just one-minute apart late in the game.
After Beaver's second goal, Coloma made a run midway through the second half. Coloma's Diego Hernandez snuck a ball past Bobcat goalie Jake Harris with 17:55 remaining to pull within 2-1.
The goal got the Bobcats' attention. They responded with another goal from Beaver and one from Steve Smith just minutes later to put the game out of reach.
After Coloma limited the Bobcats' shot opportunities in the first half, Brandywine got more than enough attempts in the second. McNamara said it was good to see his team play aggressively.
McNamara also said he was glad to see Smith get a goal because it was his last home game. Smith, one of two Brandywine seniors, got his goal off a penalty kick with 10 minutes remaining.
The Bobcats face Bridgman at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Dowagiac. The Bees upset Edwardsburg 4-0 in their first round game Monday.
McNamara said his team is ready, but since Brandywine hasn't been to the second round of Districts for six years, Wednesday's game is a bonus for his young team.