The Dowagiac soccer team suffered its first loss of the season as it was blanked by Hartford in the championship match of the Chieftain Invitational Saturday.

Dowagiac reached the finals with a 3-1 win over Cassopolis. Hartford defeated the Rangers 6-2 to move into the title match.

Dowagiac lost to Hartford 6-0 as it was outshot by the Indians 15-4. Hartford led 1-0 at halftime.

“It was a really hard fought game in the first half with even possession,” Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. “The second half you can see based on the score that we were unable to keep up with their offensive counter attacks and were not marking up at mid. We will be working on our transitions to make sure we correct this issue. Hartford is a very tough team with a very deep bench. We just did not have the depth to hang with them.”

Gage Williams scored a pair of goals against Cassopolis, while Chance Wernlund added the third goal. Nate Tackitt, Mario Brito and Antonio Brito all finished with an assist.

Elan Forrest scored the lone goal for the Rangers.

“We were rushing things a little too much and were unable to capitalize on the amount of shots we had,” Williams said. “We had several hit off the post, that’s why we need to focus on keeping our heads up right before shooting Cass was a much improved team from last year.”

 

CHIEFTAIN INVITATIONAL

At Dowagiac

First round

Dowagiac 3, Cassopolis 0

Halftime Score

Dowagiac 1, Cassopolis 0

 

First Half

D – Chance Wernlund 27th minute (Nate Tackitt assist)

 

Second Half

D – Gage Williams 42nd (Mariano Brito assist)

C – Elan Forrest 43rd minute

D – Williams 58th (Antonio Brito assist)

 

Shots on Goal

Dowagiac 16

Cassopolis 2

 

Second Round

Hartford 6, Cassopolis 2

Halftime score

Hartford 3, Cassopolis 0

 

Hartford Goals

Robert Lopez 2, Michel Calderon, William Martiniez, Danny Resendez, Israel Ugalde

 

Championship Match

Hartford 6, Dowagiac 0

Halftime Score

Hartford 1, Dowagiac 0

 

Hartford Goals

Robert Lopez 3, William Martinez, Danny Resendez

 

Shots on Goal

Dowagiac 4

Hartford 15

Varsity record: Dowagiac 3-1