By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – There are just six matches remaining in the regular season for the Blossomland Soccer team.
On Tuesday night, Real Dowagiac and Dura Mold FC settled for a 1-1 draw at Southwestern Michigan College.
Real Dowagiac headed into the match with an 8-0-1 overall record and 25 points.
The St. Joe Kickers and Diamonds United are tied with Real Dowagiac with 25 points. Both are 8-1-1 on the season.
P&R FC (7-3) is currently fourth in the standings with 21 points. Rounding out the top five is Whirlpool United (6-3-1) with 19 points.
Real Dowagiac now stands alone in first place with 26 points.
The Kickers and Diamonds United are now tied for second with 25 points.
Dura Mold FC (5-4), St. Stephens Villains (4-5-1), Tornados (4-5-1), Niles R.A.P. (3-6-1), Dowagiac Dawgs (1-8-1), Berrien Springs Internationals (1-9-1) and Red Arrow Stampede (0-10) completed the standings.
The top eight teams advance to the Blossomland Cup Tournament to be held at the Kicker's Club in Arden next week.
So far, only the Dawgs, Internationals and the Stampede have been eliminated from the post season.
Real Dowagiac, the Kickers and Diamonds United are all guaranteed to host a first round match.
The Villains are guaranteed a spot in the post season because of wins over both the Tornados and Niles R.A.P.
Niles would move into the eighth and final spot if they defeat the Tornados on Sunday at Brandywine High School.
With the teams so close to each other in the standings, the seeding for the tournament will literally come down to the final match between Whirlpool United and Dura Mold FC on July 17.
Mauricio Mancera of Real Dowagiac continues to lead the league in scoring with 21 goals.
Teammates Alejandro Hernandez and Octavio Hernandez are second and third in scoring with 16 and 12 goals respectively.
Rob Grashorn of the Villains is fourth in scoring with 13 goals, while Clay Hewitt of the Dawgs is fifth with 11.
Rounding out the top 10 scorers are Rodolfo Hernandez (Real Dowagiac) with 10, Jason Girvan (Kickers) with nine, Normanh Ramirez (Diamonds United) with nine, Casey Janick (P&R FC) with eight, Jonatan Martinez (Diamonds United) with eight and Trent Teshka (P&R FC) with eight.