Dowagiac to face Grand Rapids Forest Hill Eastern
Published 3:17 am Tuesday, November 1, 2005
By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Last season the Dowagiac soccer team went to its first regional tournament not knowing what to expect.
The Chieftains took on an experienced Muskegon Oakridge squad and dropped a heart-breaking 1-0 decision.
On Saturday Dowagiac earned its second straight trip to the regionals and heads back to Grandville with the knowledge of what it takes to win at that level.
In a turnabout, Dowagiac will be facing a team that will be making its first trip to the regional tournament.
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Eastern, only in its second year of existence, upset some pretty good soccer teams at the district tournament, also played at Grandville, to advance.
Forest Hills Eastern knocked out NorthPointe Christian (2-1), Otsego (1-0) and host Calvin Christian (1-0).
Forest Hills Eastern is 13-8-3 on the season, while Dowagiac comes into the tournament with an 11-7-2 overall record.
The Chieftains are led by senior Brian Edgerly who has 24 goals on the season. Junior Tony Black is second on the team in scoring with 16 goals.
In the net, Dowagiac has made a late surge with the return of senior keeper Aaron Wilson.
Wilson missed a majority of the season with a broken collar bone, but returned two weeks ago to spark the Chieftains.
Dowagiac reached the regional tournament with a 2-0 win over Edwardsburg and a 4-0 win over Brandywine in the district finals.
The Chieftains and Forest Hills Eastern will play on Wednesday at 4 p.m.