WE ARE THE CAMPIONS! JHS CLAIMS 4A DISTRICT SOCCER TITLE

Chris Schuette, right, helped hold up the 4A District Soccer plague awarded to the Jackson Indians immediately following their 3-0 win over Cape Central Thursday night in Poplar Bluff. Schuette had an assist in the match.

POPLAR BLUFF -- On a cold, misty Thursday night in Poplar Bluff Jackson High's boys soccer team claimed its first-ever 4A district title from arch nemesis Cape Central 3-0. The muddy field and cold conditions didn't dampen the Indians resolve to win their first district title.

Nathan Windeknecht led the way with two second-half goals as Jackson improved to 14-3-6. The Indians advance to Tuesday's 5:30 p.m. sectional game at St. Louis Soccer Park against the District 2 champion, either Lindbergh or Oakville. The Lindbergh-Oakville game Thursday was canceled due to rain.

"This is really exciting for us," said Jackson coach Bonnie Knowlan. "We kind of feel we won this for some of the teams in the past that were close, too."

The Indians entered the contest with a 1-1-1 season mark against Central and were forced to play backup goaltender Paul Johns, who made his first varsity start in place of injured Jeremy Balsman. Balsman sprained an ankle in Tuesday's semifinal victory over Sikeston. Johns and the Indian defense were up to the task as they blanked the Tigers.

"My kids really stepped up," said Knowlan. "We worked a lot on fitness the whole year and it really paid off. They were really aggressive. The first half was pretty evenly played but they picked it up a lot the second half."

After a scoreless first half, Windeknecht netted the winning goal five minutes into the second half off a pass from Chris Schuette. Ten minutes later Windeknecht deposited a Bryan Schmid pass for a 2-0 lead.

Zane McClard's goal with three minutes left in the game sealed the victory.