Dowagiac’s Craig Zebell (left) scored three more goals on Monday to help the Chieftains defeat Hartford 6-2. Zebell has 11 goals in his last three matches and 16 on the season. (The Daily News/Scott Novak)

By SCOTT NOVAK

Dowagiac Daily News

Three goals in each half allowed the Dowagiac soccer team to easily defeat visiting Hartford 6-2 in a non-conference match Monday afternoon.

The Chieftains’ Craig Zebell has been on quite a tear lately and he continued it against the Indians by scoring three goals.

Zebell now has 11 goals in his last three matches and 16 for the season.

Although he did not pick up an assist on Monday, he has 11 already this season.

Brad Hornburg got Dowagiac off to a quick start with a goal in the second minute off an assist from Alvaro Scherer.

Eight mintues later the Chieftains made it 2-0 when Zebell scored the first of his three goals off an assist from Scherer, who finished the match with a trio of assists.

Dowagiac completed its scoring in the opening 40 minutes of play when Adrian Martinez found the back of the net off an assist from Hazen McMeeken.

In the span of two minutes, Hartford cut the lead to 3-2.

Juan Perez scored in the 26th minute on a penalty kick and then he assisted on a goal by Pedro Lucio in the 27th minute.

Neither team could dent the scoreboard early in the second half, but Zebell notched goal No. 2 in the 66th minute.

McMeeken got into the scoring act in the 76th minute as Scherer picked up the assist.

Zebell completed the hat trick in the 79th minute with an unassisted goal.

Dowagiac held a 23-15 advantage in shots on goal with keeper Jason Turner recording 12 saves.

“Jason played a great game,” Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. “It is probably the best game I’ve seen him play. Martinez and Craig distributed the ball well without playing kickball tonight. (Ryan) Barnas did a nice job. We switched him back to defense so he could mark Perez.”

Dowagiac returns to Wolverine Conference play on Thursday night when it travels to Vicksburg.

Hartford…2

Dowagiac…6

Halftime score

Dowagiac 3, Hartford 2

First Half

D – Brad Hornburg 2nd minute (Alvaro Scherer assist)

D – Craig Zebell 10th minute (Scherer assist)

D – Adrian Martinez 25th minute (Hazen McMeeken assist)

H – Juan Perez 26th minute (penalty kick)

H – Pedro Lucio 27th minute (Perez assist)

Second half

D – Zebell 66th minute

D – McMeeken 76th minute (Scherer assist)

D – Zebell 79th minute

Shots on goal

Hartford 12

Dowagiac 23

Saves

Dowagiac 10 (Jason Turner)