AREA BASEBALL, SOCCER TEAMS IN STATE SECTIONALS; UNDEFEATED LADY TIGERS FACING TOP-RANKED ANGELS

Cape Girardeau Central High's girls soccer team practiced Tuesday on a wooden gymnasium floor to prepare for the bounces and skips the ball will take on the Astroturf at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Complex in Fenton tonight at 6 when the Lady Tigers meet St. Joseph's Academy in a sectional contest.

But preparing for the top-ranked team in soccer-rich St. Louis is another story. St. Joseph's, which beat Summit 3-2 in the District 2 title game, is 21-2-5.

"And that 21-2-5 is against some real tough competition," said Central coach Tom Doyle. "But we have to go out and play the game, and we're not going to be intimidated by them."

Last year Central lost the sectional game to eventual state champion Lafayette. Like last season, Central enters the sectional game on the heels of an undefeated regular season and district tournament; the Lady Tigers are 20-0-1.

"A lot of these girls played (in the sectional game) last year," Doyle said. "If we would have won the Lafayette game, maybe we would have been state champions. We only lost 1-0, and it was a goal that I would say under most conditions, it wouldn't happen.

"If we can just go up there and not be awed of the Astroturf, awed of the Busch soccer complex, and go out there and play our game, then I think we'll be all right."

Central has allowed only eight goals this year in 21 games. Senior goalie Amy Harris has recorded 15 shutouts.

"We have some real good defenders that cover well for each other, that have good speed and good skills," said Doyle, who added that the key to the game might be to not allow the Angels a quick goal.

Central is led offensively by freshman Amber Voerg, whose 26 goals this season set a school record. Sophomore Amanda Hiler has scored 12 times.

While it may be hard to prepare for St. Joe's players, most of whom play year-round on club teams, and the Astroturf and larger field, the Lady Tigers got a good dose of another thing St. Louis teams are known for in their 3-1 district title game victory over Perryville Saturday -- rough play.

"Normally in St. Louis they're going to be a little more physical than we are," Doyle said. "The referees tend to let more physical play go. But I can't see them being any more physical than Perryville was on Saturday.

St. Joe's is led by Shelly Gruszka, who has recorded a team-leading 34 goals -- the second most in St. Louis -- and 14 assists. No other Angel has more than eight goals.