COLOMA — Playing its third match in as many days, the Dowagiac soccer team bounced back from its first loss of the season to hand host Coloma a 5-3 decision Thursday night.

The two teams were deadlocked after 40 minutes of play as Dowagiac got a pair of goals from Hazen McKeeken. McMeeken scored in the third minute to open the scoring and tallied again in the 26th minute off an assist from Craig Zebell.

Chris Kraklau had both goals for the Comets in the first half and all three goals for the match. He scored in the eighth minute to tie the score at 1-1 and then again in the 31st minute to deadlock the score again, this time at 2-2.

Kraklau gave Coloma a 3-2 lead just two minutes in the the second half, but it was all Chieftains from there.

Zebell tied the score at 3-3 in the 44th minute and then Nate Michael scored back-to-back goals in the 65th and 71st minutes as Dowagiac scored the victory.

Alvaro Scherer assisted on the second Michael goal.

Dowagiac held a 22-13 advantage in shots on goal against the Comets.

“It was a tough week with three games in a row,” Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. “ It was a nice ending to this rough week. We still had three starters out and were able to keep our composer and patience. We continued to attack as a team and were able to pull off the win.

“We have our tournament this weekend. This will make it five games in five days. The boys are doing a great job and we are looking forward to a couple more victories on Saturday.”

Port-A-Pit chicken will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the high school. Cost is $6 with the proceeds going to the Dowagiac soccer program.

Dowagiac…5

Coloma…3

Halftime score

Dowagiac 2, Coloma 2

First half

D – Hazen McMeeken 3rd minute

C – Chris Kraklau 8th minute

D – McMeeken 26th minute (Craig Zebell assist)

C – Kraklau 31st minute

Second half

C – Kraklau 42nd minute

D – Zebell 44th minute

D – Nate Michael 65th minute

D – Michael 71st minute (Alvaro Scherer assist)

Shots on goal

Dowagiac 22

Coloma 13