Dowagiac falls to No. 4 GR South Christian 2-1 in regional semifinals

Published 10:32 pm Tuesday, October 22, 2019

BYRON CENTER — For nearly 70 minutes, the Dowagiac soccer team led No. 4-ranked Grand Rapids South Christian 1-0 in the Division 3 regional semifinals Tuesday night.

A pair of goals in the final 11:44 of the match by the Sailors allowed them to escape with a 2-1 victory and a spot hosting the regional championship match against No. 2-ranked Unity Christian Thursday.

Unity Christian edged No. 1-ranked Holland Christian 1-0 in overtime Monday night.

Dowagiac, which has qualified for the regionals each of the past three seasons, grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute as Gustavo Cruz scored.

The match would remain tied for the remainder of the first and right up until Thom DeVries scored the first of his two goals in the 70th minute.

The Chieftains continued to battle, but struggled in the second half getting the ball on the South Christian end of the pitch.

DeVries then seals the Sailors’ victory with his second goal in the 78th minute.

South Christian outshot Dowagiac 16-4. Alejandro Martinez made 10 saves for the Chieftains.