Local Sports Journal

Brandon Edwards sliced through the defense with 8:11 remaining in the game and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in Orchard View’s 2-1 victory over Western Michigan Christian on Wednesday night.

The game was played at Warrior Field.

Edwards broke in alone on WMC goalkeeper Christian Rogers and slid the ball under the falling keeper and into the net.

WMC opened the scoring with 9:27 remaining in the first half when Matt VanderPloeg’s free kicked sailed to the front of the Cardinal net. An onrushing Dylan Mines headed the ball into the net for his first varsity goal in his second varsity game.

Orchard View tied the score 10 minutes into the second half when a corner kick started a scramble in front of the net. Steve Malecki pushed the ball into the net at the far post to tie the game.

Dakota Smith posted the victory in net for the Cardinals (3-0).

WMC dropped to 0-2.

“Orchard View outplayed us in many areas,” WMC coach David Huligns said. ” It was a good game for us to play as it exposed stuff we have to work on.  The boys looked good for most of the game but, like all young teams, we have to learn to play a complete game.

” Without two of our starting seniors on the pitch, we are very young and play like it at times,” Hulings said. “We have to continue to improve and work on the things that can make us better.”