By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC - River Valley won a pair of shootouts to capture the Dowagiac Early Bird Invitational on Saturday.
The Lady Mustangs defeated the Chieftains in the tournament opener, 3-1 on penalty kicks after the two teams tied at three in regulation.
River Valley then defeated Niles on penalty kicks after tying the Lady Vikings 1-1 in regulation.
Niles finished second with a 1-0 win over the Chieftains in the final match of the tournament.
Dowagiac's three goals against River Valley were scored by Caroline Stanton in the fourth minute, Briana Hunsberger in the 18th minute off an assist from Emily Primley, and Stanton in the 59th minute off an assist from Primley.
The Chieftains led 1-0 throughout the first half.
River Valley scored a pair of goals in the second half to take a 2-1 lead on the Chieftains, who tied it up on Hunsberger's goal.
After the Lady Mustangs grabbed a 3-2 lead with a late goal, Dowagiac knotted the score at 3-3 with 30 seconds remaining on Stanton's second goal of the match.
The Chieftains are back in action today as they are scheduled to host Benton Harbor in their Big 16 Conference West Division opener. The match is slated to begin at 5 p.m.
Niles will host Lakeshore for a Big 16 conference match today. That game is scheduled to begin at 5:45 p.m.