Dowagiac senior Alec Saylor has been on fire around the goal this season for the Chieftains.

Saylor scored his 10th and 11th goals of the year on Tuesday as the Chieftains blanked visiting Brandywine 8-0.

“He has that aggressiveness to go to the goal,” Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. “He sees the play well and he will put his body at risk in order to do that. That is what many do not have. He will take a knee in the face to score a goal. That is why he scores on headers. He literally put his head anywhere near the ball that he can.”

Saylor said that the team’s hard work, as well as his own is paying off.

“The difference between this year and last year is we are possessing the ball more and picking our heads up before passing and making better decisions. Last year we were hitting over all the field and looking for a chance to score. This year we are more composed.

“If it were not for my team passing it to me I would not

have these opportunities to score. Yes, the ball comes to me a lot, but that is because my team composes and passes it well.”

Saylor got plenty of help against the Bobcats as senior Gage Williams finished with three goals, while Cristian Wilson, Jose Carillo Edgar Bravo also scored as the Chieftains improved to 5-0 on the year.

Williams scored the Chieftains’ first two goals to give Dowagiac a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Cristian Wilson made it 3-0 early in the second half before Saylor scored his 10th goal of the season to extend the Chieftains’ lead to 4-0.

Williams then completed the hat trick three minutes late before Jose Carillo scored on a penalty kick to make it 6-0 in favor of the Chieftains.

Saylor scored his 11th goal and Edgar Bravo scored the cut the match a few minutes short due to the mercy rule.

Dowagiac held a commanding 32-8 advantage in shots on goal.

Brandywine sophomore goalkeeper Nicholas Needham played well in stopping 24 shots.

The Chieftains’ Victor Zavala was credited with eight saves.

Dowagiac returns to action Wednesday when it hosts Coloma at 5 p.m.