The Dowagiac varsity soccer team will travel to Grand Rapids today to compete in its first Division 3 regional semifinal since 2010.

The Chieftains advanced to the regionals by beating Berrien Springs 4-0 in the district championship match at Buchanan Middle School Saturday.

Dowagiac (12-6-2) will face Hopkins (5-14-2) in the first semifinal at 5 p.m. at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School.

The winner will advance to the regional championship game at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

In the other half of the bracket, Grand Rapids South Christian will face Hudsonville Unity Christian at 7 p.m.

In reaching the regionals, the Chieftains blanked Brandywine and Coloma 8-0 before blanking the Shamrocks for the championship on Saturday.

The Vikings, who entered the tournament with a 2-14-2, defeated Delton-Kellogg 3-2 in the quarterfinals and Paw Paw 1-0 in the semifinals.

On Saturday, Hopkins continued its late run of success with a 2-0 win over Fennville.

The Vikings have now advanced to the regional round of the state tournament for the third time in the past four years.

Hopkins plays in the OK Silver conference and faced a stiff non-conference schedule in 2017.

The Vikings did upset league foe Kelloggsville and tied Belding in the final week of the regular season to build some momentum, which it carried over into the tournament.

Against Paw Paw in the semifinals, new goalkeeper Jesse Dykstra pitched a shutout with the help of defenders Ryan Onderlinde, Eliot Fair, Federico Carioni and Badeden Gill.

The lone goal was scored by Joe Bala with 15 minutes remaining in the match.

“I know that Hopkins has been on a run and have figured out some issues they had earlier in the year and are playing better as a team,” Dowagiac coach Mike Williams said. “In order to move on at this level you must play tough defense and take advantage of the scoring opportunities when you have them. We have to continue to move as a team and support each other. The weather is going to be a factor, with rain expected the whole game.”

Dowagiac is hoping that playing in the Wolverine Conference against strong competition will pay off this week.

Heading into the tournament, the Chieftains were 1-6-2 against the likes of Plainwell, which also advanced to the regionals, Edwardsburg, Allegan, Sturgis, Otsego, Paw Paw and South Haven.

That type of competition allowed Dowagiac go open up state tournament play on a tear, scoring 20 goals in three district matches, while not allowing a single goal.

Senior Alec Saylor, who now has 35 goals on the season, has eight goals so far in the postseason, while senior Chance Wernlund has four goals and a pair of assists.

Defensively the Chieftains have been solid as they have allowed just 13 shots on goal so far in the tournament.

The defense is anchored by AJ Lara, Adrien Lee, Edgar Bravo, Cristian Wilson and goalkeeper Victor Zavala.

“They have done an amazing job this year,” Williams said. “This is one of the best defenses that I have had.”

Saturday’s district championship was just the fourth in school history.

Dowagiac defeated Coloma 5-1 to win the district championship in 2010.

Hazen McMeeken had a pair of goals for the Chieftains, who also got a pair of goals from Ryan Barnas and one from Craig Zebell.

Dowagiac assistant coach Jason Turner was the goalkeeper on that team. He had six saves in the district championship match.

The Chieftains traveled to Hope College to play No. 1-ranked Grand Rapids South Christian in the regional semifinals.

The Saylors blanked Dowagiac 7-0 as it recorded its 11th shutout of the season on its way to the Division 3 state championship.

DIVISION 3

Regional Tournament

At Grand Rapids Catholic Central

Tuesday, 5 p.m.

Dowagiac vs. Hopkins

Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Grand Rapids South Christian vs.

Hudsonville Unity Christian

Championship match

Thursday, 7 p.m.