By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The field is set for the upcoming Blossomland Soccer post-season tournament.
The eighth and final spot in the Blossomland Cup was decided at Brandywine High School where Niles R.A.P. knocked the Tornados out of the playoffs with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.
Niles moves into the eighth and final position with the win.
Zach Hermann and David Shier both scored for Niles, which improves to 4-6-1 with the victory.
The Tornados fall to 4-6-1, but miss the playoffs due to head-to-head competition.
In the other game on Sunday, Diamonds United defeated host P&R FC 4-1 at Ott Field in Bridgman.
Doug Pittman scored a pair of goals for the United as did Emannuel Santana.
Diamonds United finish the regular season 9-1-1.
Eric Buckleitner scored the lone goal for P&R FC, which finishes the regular season at 7-4.
The Blossomland Cup will begin on Sunday, July 22 with the winners playing on Thursday, July 26.
The finals will be played at the St. Joe Kickers Club in Arden on Sunday, July 29.
The consolation match will be played at 12:30 p.m. and the championship decided at 2:30 p.m.
Niles R.A.P. will face regular season champion Dowagiac at Southwestern Michigan College at 2 p.m. on July 22.
Blossomland Soccer
Standings through July 15
Real Dowagiac 29 points
St. Joe Kickers 28 points
Diamonds United 28 points
P&R FC 21 points
Whirlpool United 19 points
Dura Mold FC 16 points
St. Stephens Villains 13 points
Niles R.A.P. 13 points
Tornados 13 points
Dowagiac Dawgs 7 points
B.S. International 3 points
Red Arrow Stampede 0 points
(Top eight times advance to the Blossomland Cup)
Advances due head-to-head tiebreaker
Blossomland Soccer
Top 10 scorers
21 – Mauricio Mancera (Real Dowagiac)
17 – Alejandro Hernandez (Real Dowagiac)
14 – Rob Grahorn (St. Stephens)
14 – Clay Hewitt (Dowagiac Dawgs)
13 – Octavio Hernandez (Real Dowagiac)
11 – Jason Girvan (St. Joe Kickers)
10 – Rodolfo Hernandez (Real Dowagiac)
9 – Normanh Ramirez (Diamonds United)
8 – Casey Janick (P&R FC)
8 – Jonatan Martinez (Diamonds United)
8 – Trent Tesha (P&R FC)