CAPE CENTRAL GIRLS TO PLAY SECTIONAL GAME TODAY

Cape Central's Lady Tigers must guard against a letdown as they move to the Class 4A soccer sectionals against Hazelwood Central today.

Cape Central will carry a 19-6-1 record into the 5 p.m. game at St. Louis Soccer Park in Fenton. Hazelwood Central will enter with an 18-8-3 mark.

The Lady Tigers are coming off an emotionally draining 3-2, three-overtime victory over archrival Jackson for the District 1 championship last week.

"We're starting to play better," said Cape Central coach Tom Doyle. "I don't feel like we've played as well as we were capable all year. However, injuries have plagued us this year, going back to losing one of our top players, Jennifer Daume, to knee surgery before the season even began. We've had players banged up all season."

The injury jinx continues as two of the team's best defenders and one offensive starter are questionable for the Hazelwood game. Wingback Leslie Augsburger is hampered with a bruised knee and sweeper Ashlie Voerg with a sore shoulder. Forward Amanda Hiler is doubtful with a badly pulled hamstring.

"The injuries just mean that other players will have to step up," said Doyle. I still expect a very competitive game that will probably be won by the team that makes the fewest mistakes."

All-stater Amber Voerg, center halfback, leads the Lady Tigers with a single season school-record 31 goals. Voerg is also the career scoring leader. Lori Bittle and Trisha Klipfel provide Cape Central with scoring balance.

Hazelwood Central, which went unbeaten in the Suburban North Conference in St. Louis, qualified for sectional play with a 6-2 victory over Hazelwood West in its district championship game. After winning 10 of its first 11 games this season, Hazelwood Central has won only eight of its last 18 games.

The Lady Hawks' top scorer is Valerie Henderson, recognized as one of the top players in the state. She has scored 26 goals and assisted on 21 this season.

The Lady Tigers, who advanced to the Final Four last year, have won eight of their last nine games.

"We encourage all Southeast Missouri soccer fans to come and support us against our St. Louis opponent," said Doyle.