By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
EDWARDSBURG - A year ago the Dowagiac varsity soccer team claimed the school's first-ever district championships.
This year, despite being the defending champions, a lot of people seemed to be focused on Edwardsburg and Bridgman as the possible teams playing for the Division 3 title.
The Chieftains felt they had something to prove, as did the other finalist, Brandywine.
The Bobcats dispatched the Bees on Wednesday, while the Chieftains sent the Eddies to the sidelines on Thursday.
Still feeling like they had something to prove, Dowagiac blanked Brandywine 4-0 on Saturday at Edwardsburg High School to win its second straight district title.
The Chieftains will now travel to Grandville on Wednesday to face Forest Hills Eastern in the regional semifinals at 4 p.m.
Dowagiac led just 1-0 at halftime on the strength of an Andrew Cuthbert goal in the 25th minute off an assist from D.J. Ennesser.
The Chieftains outshot Brandywine 16-2 in the opening half, but had little to show for it. Dowagiac appeared to become frustrated that it couldn't dent the scoreboard more than it did.
Williams confirmed that fact following the match.
Dowagiac turned up the offensive pressure even more in the second half and took advantage of a stiff wind that allowed them to play balls deep into the Brandywine end of the field which in turn created scoring chances.
Brian Edgerly made it 2-0 in the 46th minute on an unnasisted goal.
Tony Black then scored 10 minutes later off an assist from Kyle Kowalski to make it a 3-0 lead.
Edgerly and Black both scored in the semifinals to give the Chieftains the victory over Edwardsburg.
Dowagiac completed the scoring in the 71st minute when Adam Hess scored off an assist from Black.
Dowagiac (11-8-2) completely dominated the match, outshooting the Bobcats 38-7.
Despite the loss, Brandywine coach Jim McNamara was proud of the way his team came on at the end of the season and reached the district finals.
Dowagiac was eliminated in the regional semifinals by Muskegon Oakridge last year 1-0.
Division 3 Soccer District finals
At Edwardsburg
Dowagiac…4
Brandywine…0
Halftime score
Dowagiac 1, Brandywine 0.
First half
D – Andrew Cuthbert (assist D.J. Ennesser) 25th minute
Second half
D – Brian Edgerly 46th minute
D – Tony Black (Kyle Kowalski) 56th minute
D – Adam Hess (Black) 71st minute
Shots on goal
Dowagiac 38, Brandywine 3
Saves
Dowagiac (Aaron Wilson) 2, Brandywine (Will Coar) 22
Records
Dowagiac 11-8-2, Brandywine 9-9-3