BRIEFLY: NOON OPTIMIST KICKOFF CLASSIC BEGINS TODAY

The Noon Optimistic Kickoff Classic, hosted by Cape Girardeau Central and Notre Dame, will begin today and usher in the area girls high school soccer season.

Action will continue through Thursday's finals, with all games being played at Shawnee Park.

Today's first-round games feature Notre Dame vs. Poplar Bluff at 3 p.m.; Cape Central vs. Marion, Ill., at 4; and Jackson vs. Carbondale, Ill., at 4.

Perryville, the final tournament team, has a first-round bye. The Lady Pirates will play the Cape Central-Marion winner at 4 p.m. Tuesday. There will also be two other games Tuesday at 4.

There will be one game Wednesday at 4 p.m., with the three finals games set for 4 p.m. Thursday.

"We really appreciate the work the Noon Optimist Club has done sponsoring this tournament," said Notre Dame coach Jeff Worley.