By By SCOTT NOVAK / Vigilant/Argus
The Tornadoes opened up play in the Blossomland Soccer League Tournament on Wednesday.
The Tornadoes, who are the seventh seeded team in the tournament faced No. 2 seed Whirlpool United in Stevensville.
The winner advanced to the second round on Sunday.
The Tornadoes finished the regular season with a 1-6-1 record. The team scored 21 goals and allowed 63 goals.
The team was led by Andrew Low with 14 goals, which was tied for the league lead. Steve Boits and Mark Jablonski both had two goals.
Whirlpool United finished with a regular season record of 6-1-1. The United scored 50 goals while giving up just six goals.
Both marks were second best in the league behind the champion St. Joe Kickers.
Dowagiac Chiefs and the Dowagiac Diamonds United will open up play in the Blossomland Soccer Tournament on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
The Chiefs, who finished with a 4-4 record this past season, will take on P&R FC on Wednesday at Ott Field in Bridgman.
The match is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.
P&R FC finished the regular season with a 5-3 overall record.
The Chiefs are the No. 6 seed in the tournament.
Dowagiac is led by Tony Black who scored seven goals during the regular season. Kyle Kowalski added five goals, while David Cardenas, Chaiwa Chende and Brian Edgerly all had four goals. The Chiefs scored 27 goals on the year and gave up 27 goals.
P&R FC is the No. 3 seed in the tournament. P&R is led by Mark Nolte's eight goals. Judson Soule finished with six goals and Dennis Ott three goals. P&R FC scored 23 goals on the season and gave up just 15 goals, third fewest in the league.
Diamonds United will face Athletic Jaier on Thursday in Stevensville at Rockey Weed Road at 6:30 p.m.
The United comes into the tournament at the No. 5 seed after finishing the regular season with a 5-3 record. Dowagiac scored 39 goals, third most in the league, while giving up 18 goals.
The team is led by Ismael Hernandez's 10 goals. Rodolfo Hernandez added six goals and Octavio Hernandez five goals. Jonatan Martinez and Hector Requenez both scored three goals.
Jaier is led by Troy Sink who scored six goals. Tony Arnold finished with five goals and Ian Spooner four goals. Jaier was 5-3 in the regular season. Jaier scored 26 goals in the regular season and allowed 19.
The winners advance to Sunday's quarterfinals which will be held at 4 p.m. The highest seeded squad will host the quarterfinal match. The consolation quarterfinals will be played at 2 p.m. on Sunday with the highest seeded team hosting the match.
The final round games, which will begin with the seventh place contest at noon on Sunday, July 31, will be held at the St. Joe Kickers Club in Arden.