CENTRAL, JACKSON GIRLS CLAIM SOCCER OPENERS IN TOURNEY

Cape Girardeau Central and Jackson won while Notre Dame lost Monday as the Noon Optimistic Kickoff Classic got under way to open the area high school girls soccer season.

All the games in the tournament, which runs through Thursday, are being played at Shawnee Park.

Central defeated Marion, Ill., 4-0. Ashley Voerg scored two goals while Kim Aslinger and Amber Voerg each added one goal. Lori Bittle and Leslie Wagoner had assists.

"For the first game, we played well," said Central coach Tom Doyle. "We still need to improve on certain areas, but overall I was pleased."

Jackson edged Carbondale, Ill., 1-0 as Dana Eakins, with an assist from Julie Wunderlich, scored the game's only goal about four minutes into the second half.

"It was a real good game, especially for a first game," said Jackson coach Bonnie Knowlan. "Carbondale has a really good team this year and they really attacked but our defense did a great job."

Notre Dame lost to Poplar Bluff 2-1. Jill Edwards scored the Lady Bulldogs' goal, with Jaymie Frank assisting.

"I was very pleased with the way we played," said Notre Dame coach Jeff Worley. "We didn't even give up a shot in the first half. We played plenty well enough to win."

Semifinal games today will have Cape Central playing Perryville and Jackson taking on Poplar Bluff, both at 4 p.m. Perryville, a first-year program, received an opening-round bye.

"Perryville is an unknown quantity, but I know they've always had a good girls recreational program," Doyle said. "I expect a tough game."

Notre Dame's next game in the tournament will be Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Marion. The finals are set for Thursday at 4 p.m.

BASEBALL

Ste. Genevieve 5, Perryville 4

PERRYVILLE -- Perryville saw two players clout home runs and banged out 12 hits, but it was not enough as the Pirates dropped their season opener to visiting Ste. Genevieve Monday.

The Dragons took a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh and, after a run had scored, escaped a bases-loaded, two-out jam.

Perryville trailed 2-0 in the fourth inning, but took a 3-2 lead on a solo home run by Shaun Duvall and two-run shot by Wade Weibrecht.

Ste. Genevieve came back with a run in the fifth and two in the sixth for its 5-3 lead.

"Because of the weather, today was the first day we took infield," said Perryville coach Dennis Glueck. "The kids played well. We didn't have any errors and we hit the ball hard. We just came up on the short end of the stick."

Ben Combs, Duvall and Todd French all had two hits for Perryville.

Duvall went the distance on the mound and suffered the loss. He struck out eight, walked one and gave up nine hits.

Perryville entertains Festus Thursday.

St. Vincent 13, Meadow Heights 1

PERRYVILLE -- St. Vincent scored 11 runs in the first inning and went on to a home-field, five-inning romp in its season opener Monday.

After Meadow Heights got a run in the top of the first, the Indians sent 11 batters to the plate before the initial out was recorded.

Justin Amschler went 3-for-3 while Bryan Meyer and Gabe Hotop both added two of St. Vincent's 13 hits.

Dusty Wengert pitched two innings and allowed the only run. Trent Sauer hurled two innings and Meyer one.

St. Vincent plays host to Leopold Wednesday

Oak Ridge 5, Delta 2

OAK RIDGE -- Brian Glueck struck out 15 and pitched a one-hitter to lead Oak Ridge's season-opening triumph at home Monday.

Glueck, working the entire seven innings, walked seven. Both runs Delta scored were unearned.

"Brian threw pretty well," said Oak Ridge coach Chris Winkler. "He was a little wild here and there, but it was a good first game."

Oak Ridge had five hits. Darren Hahs doubled twice while Matt Preusser belted a two-run home run.

Oak Ridge entertains Meadow Heights Friday.

BOYS TENNIS

Cape Central 9, De Soto 0

DE SOTO -- Central's Tigers opened their season Monday with an easy win on the road.

The Tigers lost just five games in nine matches and recorded five shutouts.

"It was nice to start off the season this way," said Central coach Bud Craven.

Central will host Caruthersville Wednesday.

Singles

Aaron Moore def. Joe Greenwell 8-0

Ben Roeger def. Mike Griffin 8-0

Sean Maguire def. Don Bolyard 8-1

Andrew Skinner def. Paul Lossman 8-0

Nathan Skinner def. Daniel Yates 8-0

Morgan Maki Ryan Bales 8-2

Doubles

Moore-Roeger def. Greenwell-Griffin 8-1

Maguire-Ed Roeger def. Bolyard-Lossman 8-0

Alex Edwards-Andy Ostrenga def. Yates-Adam Brown 8-1

JR. HIGH TRACK

Sikeston 55, Cape Central 54

SIKESTON -- Central Junior High opened its season Monday with a narrow dual loss on the road.

Event winners for Central were Chris Jones (110 hurdles), Arthur Pilsner (1,600), Jordan White (400), Elliott Swoboda (800), Randy Smith (200) and Clint Hoffman (triple jump).