Tyler Treat scored a pair of goals as host Edwardsburg remained undefeated in Wolverine Conference soccer Wednesday.

Also scoring for the Eddies were Jacob Brown, Brandt Claire and Shane.

The first half started with a goal in the second minute when Edwardsburg sophomore defender Caleb Detweiler took down Vicksburg’s Jack Hallam in the penalty box. Hallam followed up with a penalty kick goal.

Vicksburg controlled the next 15 minutes of the match with multiple shots on Edwardsburg goalkeeper Teige Brandt.

“The start of the game was not pretty,” Edwardsburg coach Sean Jesse said. “We came out incredible flat, the flattest I have seen us all season. There wasn’t any lift, even the guys that pick us up when we are flat didn’t help. Even after our positive showing at the South Haven tournament this past Saturday and practices since I thought we would come out better.”

Around the 20-minute mark, Edwardsburg’s Brown and Treat had multiple chances to put the ball in the back of the net. However, key defensive blocks and some stout saves by Vicksburg keeper Gus Hatridge kept the Edwardsburg attack at bay.

With Edwardsburg gaining momentum, Vicksburg turned up the pressure, which resulted in a defensive miscue. Vicksburg was able to score on a breakaway goal.

Three minutes after the Vicksburg goal, Edwardsburg’s Merick Evans was able to dribble past defenders and gain some speed down the left side of the field. Waiting just inside the 18-yard box was Brown who found the back of the net with the inside of his right foot.

“Once we actually started to pressure the ball and actually assert ourselves in the game, it was a total turn around,” Jesse said. “The pressure was what created our scoring opportunities. I think we outshot them 16-5 in the first half. We just couldn’t find the back of the net for most of the game.”

With five minutes left in the first half, Edwardsburg’s Brown and Mitchael Evans looked to connect on a game-tying goal. But was overturned by the referee after it was determined that the ball went over the crossbar and hit the backside of the netting.

At the start of the second half Edwardsburg looked to keep possession in the attacking third to tire out the Vicksburg defense. Merick Evans hit the post and Brown had a shot go barely past the other post.

In the 45th minute Edwardsburg tied it up on a free kick that rebounded off a Vicksburg defender. Claire found the ball at his feet and slotted it home.

Three minutes later Edwardsburg took the lead from a Treat shot that found the bottom right corner. Brown found Treat on a through ball passed the Vicksburg defense.

“I think Tyler was just having one of those days,” Jesse said, talking about the ample amount of missed opportunities for Brown and Treat to score. “He was frustrated because things weren’t going his way but he still had two goals. And even on a bad day he is still able to really control the game.  I think for Brown it was a confidence booster because the last 10 to 15 minutes of the game he started to do the things we want him to.  He started putting himself in better spots on the field once he was able to calm down.”

For much of the second half Vicksburg looked lost at times as Edwardsburg continued to play possession.

The best Vicksburg goal scoring opportunity of the second half came in the 67th minute on a free kick just outside of the 18-yard box that hit the Edwardsburg wall.

Edwardsburg continued to pressure Vicksburg and added a fourth and fifth goal on corner kicks from Isaac Toms in the 68th and 71st minutes that found Shane Streb and Treat respectively.

With the game in hand toward the end, Edwardsburg was able to get playing time to non-starters.

“We bumped up some junior varsity players because Vicksburg doesn’t have a JV,” Jesse said. “Some of the JV players are working their way into spots like Matt Gremeaux, he is extremely calm in JV games but just has to get used to the speed of the Varsity game. He has worked his way into good spots so he will see more opportunities at the Varsity level.  Our two centerbacks we put into today will look to be our starting centerbacks next year so it was good to get them the opportunity to play side by side.”

Edwardsburg’s next game is at Niles Saturday at noon in non-conference play.

“I saw Niles play a couple of days ago,” Jesse said. “They are physical and have a really strong centerback. Their center midfield play is good. As long as we can control the middle of the field where we are at our strongest we will be able to control the game.”

 

EDWARDSBURG 5, VICKSBURG 2

At Edwardsburg

Halftime Score:

Vicksburg 2, Edwardsburg 1

 

First Half

V – Jordan Hallam 2nd minute

V – Zachary Wagner 29th minute

E – Jacob Brown 32nd minute (Merick Evans assist)

 

Second Half

E – Brandt Claire 45th minute

E – Tyler Treat 48th minute (Brown assist)

E – Shane Streb 68th minute (Isaac Toms assist)

E – Treat 71st minute (Toms assist)

Varsity record: Edwardsburg: 5-1, 2-0 Wolverine