By By DON EDEN / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!
Brandywine (8-7-3) finished second in the Lakeland Conference on Wednesday after tying Bridgman and celebrated Thursday by crushing winless Covert 8-0 in girls soccer.
"This game was rescheduled because the weather was bad earlier in the year, but it was good for the seniors to win like this in their last home game," noted Brandywine coach Evan Winkler. "This is a great group of seniors who lead with good examples and I will miss all of them."
Sophomore Michaela Greer and freshman Samantha Low each had two goals and an assist to lead the assault.
Also scoring goals for the Lady Bobcats were junior Alexa Perry, sophomores Nicole Newman and Elizabeth Varner, along with freshman Morgan Smallwood.
Varner ended the game with 35:37 on the scoreboard.
"This was great atmosphere for the game as Brandywine was very cordial and they have a good team with nice players," first year Covert coach Samantha Anderson said. "My girls are the top students in the school and always try to find victory no matter what the score is against us."
Participating in athletics for the final time on a home field were Brandywine seniors Jamie Zellmer, Katie Smallwood, Kelsey Meador (out with a MCL injury) and Julie Barnett.
"Jamie and Katie were both great leaders for us with Smallwood being one of the top goalies in the conference and Zellmer being such a smart player who has meant a lot to me," praised Winkler. "Julie and Kelsey were both hard workers with good attitudes that were fun to be with and were good relief for starters without a drop off in effort."
Brandywine will now battle Bridgman for the fourth time next Tuesday to start the tournament at River Valley with a 7 p.m. start as each team has a victory and tie in the previous matchups.
"We are looking forward to the tournament and the girls are ready with a good attitude," concluded Winkler.

First Half
Samantha Low (BR) 2nd minute
Michaela Greer (BR) 10th minute
Nicole Newman (BR) Karli Wendorf assist 15th minute
Alexa Perry (BR) 22nd minute
Greer (BR) S. Low assist 27th minute
Morgan Smallwood (BR) Jamie Zellmer assist 28th minute
Shots Brandywine 20, Covert 0
Saves Katie Smallwood (BR) 0, Senario Massey 7 and Elizabeth Sarco 7 (CO)
Corner kicks Brandywine 2, Covert 0
Second Half
S. Low (BR) Greer assist 44th minute
Elizabeth Varner (BR) Emily Low assist 45th minute
Shots Brandywine 3, Covert 0
Saves Julie Barnett (BR) 0, Sarco (CO) 1
Corner kicks Brandywine 1, Covert 0