After winning the first seven games of the year, the Dowagiac (7-2, 2-2) girls’ soccer team were humbled by a pair of Wolverine Conference team as Allegan (6-3-1, 3-1) downed the Chieftains by a 2-0 outcome on Wednesday after losing to Vicksburg a couple days earlier.

The first half was evenly played for the most part even though junior Alyssa Fritz of the Chieftains saved a goal midway through the half on a shot by Tiger junior Melissa Jennings.

Corner kicks were definitely an advantage for the Chiefs as they had a trio of opportunities to none for the visitors.

Allegan did have nine shots compared to six for Dowagiac with Fritz saving a quarter of chances with senior Shelby Harpst only being challenged one time and that turned out to be the only threat of the contest.

“Our inexperience shows when we don’t play confident and are too intimidated with our own actions as every game should be played at one hundred per cent and today was far from it,” stated Dowagiac coach Mike Williams. “We just played poorly and were not aggressive.”

Dowagiac had one single shot attempt the entire second half with Fritz facing 13 firings toward the net and again made a quartet of saves.

Senior Rachel Krcatovich of the Tigers finally found the net for the visitors with 21:37 left to play as she controlled the ball near midfield and dribbled to 35 yards to hit a high looping shot above Fritz into the middle of the net.

“I did not talk too much during the break except to offer encouragement and to tell the girls we play hard rather we win or lose as I am proud of them every time they take the field,” commented Allegan coach Royal Thompson. “The wind was with us in the second half which helped.”

Another senior for the Tigers in Jasmine Wright scored an insurance tally with 6:26 remaining after taking a pass from freshman Rachael Voglewede, she then masterfully changed the ball from her left to right foot to find the far corner of the goal.

Allegan’s leading scorer, sophomore Corrie Wolthuis was denied a goal by Fritz from 10-yards out with a point blank shot attempt earlier in the second half.

“We let them pass instead of winning balls, which is not how we played all year up to now,” noted Williams. “It came down to going after the ball and we just didn’t, but take nothing away from Allegan since they deserved to win.”

Each team ended with five corner kicks as the Tigers had a 5-2 advantage in the second half.

“It was a good game and we took advantage of the breaks, but I really enjoyed how we played in the second half as we kept them on their heels,” concluded Thompson. “Dowagiac has a good program and are doing well this year.”

Scoring Summary

First Half

No scoring

Shots:  Dowagiac 6, Allegan 9

Saves: Alyssa Fritz (D) 4, Shelby Harpst (A) 1

Corner kicks:  Dowagiac 3, Allegan 0

Second Half

Allegan — Rachel Krcatovich 59th minute

Allegan — Jasmine Wright assist Rachael Voglewede 74th minute

Shots:  Dowagiac 1 (7), Allegan 13 (22)

Saves:  Fritz 4 (8); Harpst 0 (1)

Corner kicks:  Dowagiac 2 (5); Allegan 5 (5)

Varsity records: Allegan 6-3-1, 3-1 Wolverine; Dowagiac  7-2, 2-2 Wolverine