By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
After a slow start the Dowagiac varsity soccer team got its offense rolling against visiting Battle Creek Harper Creek Wednesday afternoon.
The Chieftains (4-4-1) trailed 1-0 just five minutes into the match, but rallied for a 3-1 Big 16 Conference crossover victory.
Bethany Turley scored in the fifth minute to give the visiting Lady Beavers a 1-0 advantage.
Dowagiac finally got the equalizer in the 32nd minute as Jill Billingham scored off an assist from Jordan Markham.
The score remained deadlocked through the rest of the first half.
Dowagiac's Amanda VanHusan scored the game-winning goal in the 54th minute to make it 2-1.
Two minutes later, Billingham got her second goal of the match to make it 3-1.
Dowagiac outshot Harper Creek 25-9.
Dowagiac goalkeeper Jackie Sayre stopped eight shots. Battle Creek keeper Melissa Starks came up with 15 saves.
Dowagiac returns to action on Monday when it plays its second Big 16 Conference crossover match at Kalamazoo Central. The match will begin at 5 p.m.
Harper Creek…1
Dowagiac…3
First half
Bethany Turley (HC) 5th minute
Jill Bilingham (D) 32nd minute (Jordan Markham)
Second half
Amanda VanHusan (D) 54th minute
Billingham (D) 56th minute
Shots
Harper Creek 9
Dowagiac 25
Saves
Harper Creek (Melissa Starks) 15
Dowagiac (Jackie Sayre) 8
Varsity record: Dowagiac 4-4-1