4s ARE WILD: CHS SOCCER REACHES 4A FINAL FOUR IN FOUR YEARS

It appears to matter little that Cape Girardeau Central High's girls soccer team has only been around for four years.

And it doesn't seem to make a difference that the Lady Tigers will be competing in their first-ever state final four.

All indications are -- and it's the consensus of both head coaches -- that the Lady Tigers have a legitimate chance of reaching Saturday's Class 4A state championship game.

That's because the coaches believe today's 6 p.m. 4A semifinal between Central and Lafayette at the Anheuser-Busch Conference & Sports Centre in Fenton rates as a tossup.

"This game can go either way," said Lafayette's Tim Walters. "I think it's a well matched game that's going to be very close.

"I saw them play Northwest (in the quarterfinals) and they're good, very good. They're a very hard working team that seems to be disciplined and well coached."

Said Central's Tom Doyle, "Lafayette is a very good team, really talented, but I think it's going to be an interesting game. I think it's going to be very close and we should be right in there."

That was the case two years ago when Central and Lafayette met in the sectional round of the playoffs. The Lancers won that game 1-0 and went on to capture the state title.

"The game two years ago was really close and we basically won it on a fluke goal," Walters said. "They were good then and I think they're better now."

Both teams enter the semifinals with impeccable credentials that would seem to indicate a tight contest.

Central is 26-1-2 -- by far the most wins in school history -- and has outscored the opposition 121-16. Sophomore goalkeeper Heather Hey has a school-record 19 shutouts.

Lafayette, from the St. Louis area, is 20-2-1 and has an 83-10 scoring edge. Senior goalie Alicia Heeger has 14 shutouts.

Offensively, both squads are fairly balanced, with at least a few major scoring threats.

For Central, sophomore Amber Voerg leads the way with 26 goals and 19 assists -- but she gets plenty of help. Senior Kim Aslinger has 19 goals, followed by junior Amanda Hiler with 16, junior Jennifer Daume with 15 and junior Lorie Bittle with 13.

"We've been balanced offensively, which has helped us a lot," Doyle said.

Lafayette freshman Carmen Bagnanno has 22 goals and 18 assists while senior Kristen Sprunger has 20 goals. Four other players have at least seven goals, including junior Jen Zimmerman with nine.

The Lancers have been particularly dominating in the playoffs, beating Nerinx Hall 4-1 in the sectionals and then destroying Parkway Central 6-0 in the quarterfinals.

Central has had things a bit tougher, nipping Ritenour 1-0 in the sectionals and Northwest-House Springs 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

Once again, Doyle believes scoring first will be important for his team.

"I'll say the same thing I said before the Northwest game," he said. "Whoever gets that first goal, it will be really big."

Doyle said following last Saturday's quarterfinal victory that he hopes the Lady Tigers aren't satisfied with just making it to the final four, even though that's a tremendous accomplishment. He believes they are still plenty hungry.

"I don't think we'll just be happy getting there," he said. "Lafayette is used to being there, so they probably won't be as awed as first. But after a few minutes, we should be fine."

Tonight's other semifinal, scheduled for an 8 o'clock start, will pit defending state champion St. Joseph's Academy (24-2-1) of St. Louis against Lee's Summit North (25-1-2) from the Kansas City area.

The semifinal winners will square off at 2 p.m. Saturday for the title while the losers will meet at noon for third place.

Missouri Class 4A

State Tournament

(in Fenton)

Today's Semifinals

6 p.m. -- Cape Central vs. Lafayette

8 p.m. -- St. Joseph's vs. Lee's Summit North

Saturday's Games

Noon - Third place

2 p.m. -- Championship