By Staff
While most of the Dowagiac Union High School sports programs have struggled to gain victories this season, the Chieftain varsity soccer team has been the lone exception.
Heading into today's Big-16 Conference crossover match against the Central Division's Kalamazoo Central, Dowagiac is 7-4-1.
The Chieftains have won the Edwardsburg Invitational to start the season and have beaten Edwardsburg for the first time in four years and Paw Paw for the first time in school history.
Dowagiac's record could easily be two games better in the estimation of coach Mike Williams.
The Chieftains let one get away against Bridgman, a 2-1 loss the Monday following the Edwardsburg Invitational victory, and a 2-2 tie with Buchanan.
Williams feels his team is better than both squads and would like nothing more than to get a chance to prove it.
Dowagiac and Buchanan could meet up again in the district tournament, but I don't think they will get another shot at the Bees this season.
Tonight's match is another big one for the Chieftains.
The Central Division is loaded with quality soccer teams and a victory over the Maroon Giants would go a long way toward defining how good this team is.
Dowagiac has a good mix of experienced players and talented youngsters.
I think the difference betwen this year's squad and last year's is the fact that Williams has found a way to get the Chieftains scoring.
For years Dowagiac has played pretty solid defense and had good goalkeepers.
The problem has alway been putting the ball in the back of the net.
The likes of Brian Edgerly, freshman Tony Black and Alejandro Hernandez seemed to have solved that problem.
With the beginning of October rapidly approaching, it won't be long now before the Chieftains will be beginning Big-16 Conference tournament play and then the Michigan High School Athletic Association post season.
I expect big things from the Chieftains in both tournaments. Dowagiac will not have a good draw in the Big-16 tournament due to a fourth place finish in the West Divison, but I think Dowagiac is going to surprise a few folks.
In the MHSAA tournanment, Dowagiac should be considered one of the favorites along with state runner-up South Haven.