By SCOTT NOVAK

Dowagiac Daily News

Late surges at the end of each half came up a bit short for the Dowagiac soccer team Thursday evening against visiting Edwardsburg.

The Eddies scored first in both halves and then held on for a 3-2 non-conference victory.

The Eddies scored a pair of goals in the first half, the first coming just eight minutes into the match when Daniel Lauten found the back of the net.

The Eddies extended their advantage to 2-0 on a goal by Chris Hotrum in the 25^th minute.

For the next 14 minutes, the two teams battled back and fourth with several quality scoring chances.

As the half went on, the Chieftains seemed to get out of their early funk and began to build momentum.

As the final seconds were clicking off the clock, Dowagiac’s Hazen McMeeken was able to beat the Edwardsburg defense to the ball and then rifled a shot past the Eddies’ keeper with 23 seconds left to cut the lead to 2-1.

Edwardsburg regained the momentum just seven minutes into the second half as Luke Rohrman made it a two-goal lead once again for the Eddies.

Again, Dowagiac began to build some momentum as the half went along.

With less than four minutes remaining, Ryan Barnas banged home a goal for the Chieftains as a made scramble ensued in front of the Eddies’ goal.

With a burst of energy from the Barnas goal, Dowagiac continued to apply the pressure on Edwardsburg, could not come up with the tying goal.

“We played very flat the first half and picked it up the second half,” Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. “We have to play 80 total minutes to win games and we are yet to do that. With the next week off we should be much healthier and prepared to play.”

Edwardsburg…3

Dowagiac…2

Halftime score

Edwardsburg 2, Dowagiac 1

First half

E – Daniel Lauten 8th minute

E – Chris Hotrum 25th minute

D – Hazen McMeeken 39th minute

Second half

E – Luke Rohrman 47th minute

D – Ryan Barnas 76th minute

Shots on goal

Edwardsburg 18

Dowagiac 16

Saves

Edwardsburg 6 (Housing)

Dowagiac 13 (Jason Turner)