By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
For 75 minutes of the Division 3 District Soccer Tournament opener, the Dowagiac varsity soccer team looked like it was headed for an early exit.
Then, as if a light switch was flipped, the Chieftains exploded for four goals in five minutes.
The result was a 5-2 Dowagiac victory and a spot in the semifinals against host Bridgman on Wednesday.
"This was a frustrating game for all of us," Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. "We played below our ability for the first 75 minutes. Then Clay Hewitt threads the ball into the goal and brings the team's moral up immediately. We then played good, attacking soccer and finished with three more goals in three minutes."
The Chieftains, who are the two-time defending district champions, struck early and looked as if they were going to rout the Shamrocks just like they did in the regular season.
Andre Porto scored in the 17th minute off an assist from Tony Black to give the Chieftains a 1-0 lead.
From that point on it was all Berrien Springs.
The Shamrocks tied the score at 1-1 on a goal in the 21st minute by Jordan Carrigan. Berrien Springs then took a 2-1 lead on the goal by Isaac Thumbalamoto in the 26th minute.
The Shamrocks maintained that lead throughout the first half and right up until the 72nd minute of the match when Hewitt got the equalizer.
As if a lid had been taken off the goal, Dowagiac poured through the Berrien Springs defense and scored three more goals to complete the victory.
Porto picked up his second goal of the match in the 75th minute with an assist from Hewitt.
Josh Deuel and Adam Hess completed the scoring with back-to-back goals in the 76th and 77th minutes.
Efrain Soto assisted on the Deuel goal.
"It was a strong finish and showed what we can do when our heads are 100 percent in it," Williams said. "In order to move past the next round we have to play strong from the beginning."
The Chieftains and Bees will play in Bridgman on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Berrien Springs…2
Dowagiac…5
Halftime score
Berrien Springs 2, Dowagiac 1
First half
D – Andre Porto 17th minute (Tony Black assist)
BS – Jordan Carrigan 21st minute
BS – Isaac Thumbalamoto 26th minute
Second half
D – Clay Hewitt 72nd minute
D – Porto 75th minute (Clay Hewitt)
D – Josh Deuel 76th minute (Efrain Soto)
D – Adam Hess 77th minute