Junior Gage Williams and the Dowagiac soccer team are off to a fast start.

The Chieftains improved to 2-0 with an 8-0 non-conference win over Buchanan Wednesday.

Williams scored four goals and had three assists in the victory. He now has five goals and five assists as Dowagiac heads into Saturday’s Chieftain Invitational.

“Our chemistry is really good,” Williams said about the difference between this year’s team and last year’s. “We have been playing together our entire lives, so this year is our year.”

When asked what he likes better, scoring or assisting on a teammate’s goal, there was no hesitation in his answer.

“Seeing someone else score,” he said, “having some freshmen get some goals.”

Dowagiac is coached by Williams’ father Mike, who also has noticed a difference in the team.

“It is another year together for one,” the elder Williams said. “Another thing is they have been working together all summer. So the young kids you see like Jose (Carrillo) is a freshman, but he has been working with us all summer. He went to the Western team camp and so that makes a huge difference.

“You can see they pass they move the ball. They pass ball to each other. There is no selfishness and the defense is tough.”

Carrillo scored three of the Chieftains’ four second half goals, while Mariano Brito had a goal and two assists.

Dowagiac will host its annual tournament beginning at 10 am. Saturday.

The Chieftains will face Cassopolis in the opening round before the Rangers take on Hartford and Dowagiac wraps up the tournament against the Indians.
DOWAGIAC 8, BUCHANAN 0

At Dowagiac

Halftime score

Dowagiac 4, Buchanan 0

 

First half

D – Gage Williams 6th minute (Nick Foote assist).

D – Williams 14th minute.

D – Mariano Brito 17th minute (Williams assist).

D – Williams 20th minute.

 

Second half

D – Jose Carillo 47th minute (Williams assist).

D –Carillo 60th minute (Williams assist).

D – Williams 70th minute (Mariano Brito assist).

D – Carillo 79th minute (Brito assist).

 

Shots on goal

Dowagiac 24

Buchanan 0

Varsity record: Dowagiac 2-0.