By By DON EDEN / Niles Daily Star
EDWARDSBURG – Indoor soccer would have been more appropriate for the girls from Buchanan and Edwardsburg but coaches Chris Froelich and Ryan Rosenkranz respectively each praised the teams in a 3-0 Eddie victory.
Rain and cold caused the girls to start dancing with the stars early just to keep warm before the game and Edwardsburg (6-1-1, 3-1) fired 16 shots in the first half at Buchanan (3-5-1,1-3) sophomore goalie Shelby Welbaum. Welbaum didn't have the ball cross the line and each team was held scoreless going into intermission.
"The girls did a pretty good job holding all the speedsters Edwardsburg has without a goal in the first half," noted Froelich. "They got a lot of good shots but we fought and fought the entire time."
Senior Amanda Mooth of the Eddies had seven shots alone in the first half compared to five for the entire Buchanan team but the first shot of the game by freshman sister Aly 4:44 into the second stanza found the net.
Another freshman, Macy Stevenson, stole the ball near midfield and escaped a couple Bucks to find her classmate (Aly Mooth) alone down the right side of the field and the leading goal scorer for Edwardsburg hit a perfect shot in the left corner 10 yards out.
Stevenson was instrumental for the second goal three minutes later when a crossing pass deflected off a Buchanan defender past Welbaum.
"Macy (Stevenson) has very good speed and did a great job that was huge as she was banged up last week and didn't play much," remarked Rosenkranz. "We need to take advantage of our opportunities instead of just hoping for the best."
Edwardsburg duplicated the 16 shots in the second half with Buchanan totaling eleven for the game which equaled Amanda Mooth's total.
"We had a couple of mental breakdowns in the second half and didn't react well but this is a young team with only four seniors," said Froelich. "The team is getting better with each game and looking forward to the rest of the season."
Senior exchange student Miriam Agudo scored the final goal for the Eddies with a 20 yard blast in the right corner of the net after stealing the ball to ice the victory.
Edwardsburg is the leader in the Lakeland Conference as Brandywine defeated Bridgman 3-1 with each team playing each other a second time.
"It is time for Round 2 and I am optimistic as this team is starting to play real well and push the entire game," stated Rosenkranz. "River Valley is much improved and are very dangerous and will want revenge."
The Eddies will host the Mustangs and Buchanan will travel to Bridgman on Thursday.
Buchanan…0
Edwardsburg…3
First Half
Shots
Edwardsburg 16, Buchanan 5
Saves Christina Hans (ED) 1, Shelby Welbaum (BU) 8
Corner Kicks Edwardsburg 4, Buchanan 1
Second Half
Aly Mooth (ED) Macy Stevenson (assist) 44th minute
Stevenson (ED) 47th minute
Miriam Agudo (ED) 63rd minute
Shots
Edwardsburg 16 (32), Buchanan 6 (11)
Saves
Hans (ED) 4 (5), Welbaum (BU) 7 (15)
Corner Kicks Edwardsburg 2 (6), Buchanan 0 (1)
Records Edwardsburg 6-1-1, 3-1 Buchanan 3-5-1, 1-3