By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
Senior Tony Black scored two goals and had two assists to help lead the Dowagiac varsity soccer team to a 9-3 Wolverine Conference victory over visiting Paw Paw Tuesday night.
It was the second straight match for the Chieftains, who were defeated by league-leading Otsego on Monday night.
The Chieftains didn't seem leg weary as they tallied in the opening minute as Black beat the Paw Paw goalie off an assist from Matt Joanis.
The Chieftains made it 2-0 on a goal by Jon Mitchell in the 17th minute.
Paw Paw got back into the match when Dowagiac was whistled for a handball in the box which resulted in a penalty kick for the Redskins.
Andre Porto gave Dowagiac a two-goal lead again with a goal in the 19th minute.
Black had the assist on the goal.
The Chieftains were not able to shake Paw Paw in the opening 40 minutes, and as the result of a late goal, the Redskins trailed Dowagiac 3-2 at halftime.
The Chieftains completely dominated the second half as it scored six goals.
Andrew Cuthbert scored in the 41st minute, while Josh Deuel scored a minute later.
Mitchell picked up his second goal of the nine off an assist from Clay Hewitt. The Chieftains extended its lead to 7-2 as Deuel scored for the second time in the match in the 62nd minute.
Pedro Pinto sandwiched a Paw Paw score with goals in the 63rd and the 76th minute.
The Chieftains, who will host Berrien Springs in the Division 3 District Tournament opener on Monday, outshot the Redskins 21-13.
I wasn't too happy with our play in the first half," Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. "We stepped it up in the second half."
Paw Paw…3
Dowagiac…9
Halftime
Dowagiac 3, Paw Paw 2
Dowagiac goals
Tony Black 1st minute (Matt Joanis assist)
Jon Mitchell 17th minute
Andre Porto 19th minute (Black)
Andrew Cuthbert 41st minute
Josh Deuel 42nd minute
Mitchell 52nd minute (Clay Hewitt)
Deuel 62nd minute (Hewitt)
Pedro Pinto 63rd minute (Black)
Pinto 76th minute (Cuthbert)
Shots on goal
Paw Paw 13
Dowagiac 21