By SCOTT NOVAK
Vigilant/Argus

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 25th 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 mad 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, but could not come up with the tying goal.

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)

Edwardsburg vs. Bridgman
The Eddies improved to 3-0 in Lakeland Conference play after a 2-0 win over visiting Bridgman on Monday night.

Zak Karamalegos scored in the first half for the Eddies and Climente Martinez picked up the second half goal off an assist from Daniel Holston.

Bridgman…0
Edwardsburg…2

First half
E – Zak Karamalegos 32:52

Second half
E – Climente Martinez (assist Daniel Holston)  34:20

Varsity record
Edwardsburg 6-2, 3-0 Lakeland