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VICKSBURG — Edwardsburg played Vicksburg tough in the opening half before the Bulldogs’ speed and athleticism took control in the final 40 minutes Tuesday.

The Bulldogs (15-4-2) led the Eddies 1-0 after the opening half before adding five goals in the second half for a 6-0 Division 2 district semifinal win.

Vicksburg advances to Thursday’s 7 p.m. district championship match against fifth-ranked Stevensville-Lakeshore, which beat St. Joseph 2-0 in the other semifinal match. Edwardsburg finishes 8-7-1.

Freshman midfielder Hannah Fletter scored Vicksburg’s lone goal of the first half at the 18:37 mark for a 1-0 halftime advantage.

Junior striker Ella Rohrstaff responded with a second-half hat trick performance with goals at 36:35, 31:47 and 8:31. Rohrstaff also chalked up an assist on another goal by Madison Ames at 16:25.

Fletter found the back of the Eddies’ net again when she scored an unassisted goal with 1:36 left to cap the scoring.

Edwardsburg’s biggest highlight in the match was its ability to control the 50/50 balls during the first half.

“In the first half I thought we battled really well by winning a majority of the 50-50s. I thought we pressured them very well and it kept us in the match. Vicksburg is a very athletic team and we just couldn’t match their speed. They are a little deeper than we are and that wore on us and we got tired. We’re pretty young and we struggled to find ways to adapt and at that point we got behind and were chasing them,” said Edwardsburg Coach Sean Jesse.

Edwardsburg, however, graduates just five seniors off a 24-player roster.

The Eddie seniors playing in their final match included Chloe Baker, Amaya Shier, Emma Gaudemer, Vivian Tomas and Madalyn Haas.

“Our seniors were a fun group to be around. They are so encouraging and always trying to get the team to push a little harder. Their enthusiasm and leadership are the greatest,” Jesse said.

Edwardsburg’s 13th-year head coach has been extremely pleased with the growth his Eddies’ squad has shown from the first day of practice until the end of this season.

“I’ve been coaching here 13 seasons and this is the most growth I’ve seen take place from day one until now. When we’ve been able to put things together this year we’ve been able to push anyone, maybe not always for a full 80 minutes but a majority of it,” Jesse said.

Vicksburg had 24 shots on goal to seven for Edwardsburg.

Edwardsburg’s sophomore goal keeper Mallory Schrock had 15 saves in goal.

Vicksburg had five cornerkicks to one for Edwardsburg.

Bulldogs’ goalie Audra Krueger had five saves.