NILES — Visiting Edwardsburg had to withstand an hour storm delay and a late second half rally Tuesday evening to edge Brandywine 2-1 in Lakeland Conference soccer.

As the two teams approached halftime and the Eddies leading 2-0, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Berrien County. Thunder and lightning forced game officials to put a halt to the contest and send both teams into the high school.

After nearly an hour, the two teams re-emerged from the school and after a brief warm-up period, resumed the match.

Edwardsburg didn’t seem to have the same intensity it did heading into halftime, while Brandywine seemed to respond well. The Bobcats were able to keep it just a two-goal margin throughout much of the second half thanks to the goalkeeping of Carlie Newman and the defensive work of Morgan Smallwood.

As the second half wore on, Brandywine, with the wind to its back, began building the pressure on Edwardsburg and keeper Sophie Devenney.

With just four minutes remaining in the match, the Eddies were whistled for a foul just inside their half of the field. Smallwood took the direct kick and ripped a shot that bounced off of Devenney.

Kayli Hatch crashed the goal and was able to knock the ball into the wide side of the goal to close the gap to 2-1 with three minutes left.

The Bobcats never really were able to get another quality shot on goal during those final minutes, but their effort throughout the match and especially in the second half was pleasing to coach Evan Winkler.

Edwardsburg’s two first half goals also came with the wind at its back.

Macy Stevenson ripped a shot past Newman in the sixth minute, while Aly Mooth found the back of the net in the 23rd minute.

Despite the Eddies holding a two-goal lead in the opening 40 minutes of action, Brandywine held a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal.

Edwardsburg, which remained undefeated in Lakeland Conference play and tied with Cassopolis atop the league standings at 4-0, finished with a 9-7 lead in shots.

Newman finished the match with seven saves, while Devenney stopped six shots.

Edwardsburg…2

Brandywine…1

Halftime score

Edwardsburg 2, Brandywine 0

First half

E – Macy Stevenson 6th minute

E – Aly Mooth 23rd minute

Second half

BW – Kayli Hatch 77th minute (Morgan Smallwood assist)

Shots on goal

Edwardsburg 9

Brandywine 7

Saves

Edwardsburg 6 (Sophie Devenney)

Brandywine 7 (Carlie Newman)

Varsity records: Edwardsburg 4-0 Lakeland, Brandywine 1-3 Lakeland