By By JEFF FISHER / Niles Daily Star
EDWRADSBURG – Brandywine's Jill Sinkoff netted two goals for Brandywine as the Lady Bobcats' soccer team defeated Edwardsburg 2-1 to win the Edwardsurg Invitational Saturday.
"A great win and exciting. It was very up and down. The last time we played them (Edwardsburg) it was a 5-5 tie and we just grinded it out today," Brandywine first year head coach Evan Winkler said. "It was a good win as a team and I am proud of them. I appreciate their effort. They never quit and just kept fighting."
The first semifinal game pitted Brandywine against Comstock.
Sinkoff for the Bobcats rolling with a goal at the 15 minute mark, giving the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. Comstock responded with a goal of its own late in the first half to tie the contest, 1-1.
At the 35 minute mark, Erin Sinkoff gave the Bobcats a 2-1 lead, assisted buy sister Jill.
The one-goal lead was enough to defeat Comstock and send the Bobcats to the championship game.
"We played pretty well in the first half. The first 20 minutes I thought we played strong. We looked to really pass the ball, then we kind of had a letdown and Comstock really picked it up in the last 10 minutes," Winkler said.
Winkler had much praise for the Sinkoff sisters.
"They work very well together. They always know where each other are. They don't even have to look, they just know. They have been a big part of our season. Jill is spectacular and is a great player," Winkler added.
The other semifinal game saw the Eddies defeat Bridgman, 1-0.
Edwardsburg began the championship game with three straight scoring threats as the Eddies tested the Bobcats' goalie, Katie Smallwood.
Amanda Mooth scored the first girl during the 17th minute on a deflection to put the hosts up 1-0 in the early going.
Jill Sinkoff for the Bobcats on the board with a goal in the 34th minute, which was assisted by Erin Sinkoff.
At the 48th minute, Jill Sinkoff once again score, this time being assisted by Nicole Taylor.
With a 2-1 lead, Brandywine was able to hold off Edwardsburg for the next 12 minutes to capture the Invite title.
"Katie made some huge saves, especially near the end of the second half. Good overall win as a team. Jill had huge goals and had some good passes to get everyone involved," Winkler said.
"The conference this year is a tight race. I told my team not to hold their heads down. I was not in the least bit upset with them. They played great soccer all day," Edwardsburg head coach Paul Rosenkranz said.
In the consolation game, Comstock defeated Bridgman, 2-0, to take third place.