Central scores late to upset rival Jackson in boys soccer

For most of the game Wednesday, Central looked like it still was smarting from longtime rival Jackson's shutout win during their meeting last month.

But a Tigers counterattack in stoppage time allowed senior defender Derek Parker to secure a long ball from fellow senior Josh Compas and place one in the net to give the Tigers a 1-0 win over the host Indians.

"The ball came to [Compas], who made a great pass to Parker -- perfect and composed," Central coach Dan Martin said. "A great job by Parker."

It was the perfect way for the Tigers (5-15) to erase the memory of their 4-0 loss to the Indians on Sept. 22.

"We changed up our system and our style of play, and we just kept up the intensity," Martin said. "I think that was the difference."

Central senior defender Dominique Jones played a pivotal role in the shutout by helping clean up some missed passes.

"Coach told us we deserved this, we worked the hardest and just to keep focused," Jones said of his coach's advice at halftime.

Martin acknowledged Jones' role in slowing down the Indians.

"I thought Jones was very vocal," Martin said. "Those defenders stepped up their roles tonight."

Jackson coach Zack Walton said that despite great play by his defense, the Indians weren't able to capitalize on their scoring chances.

"We had our chances, but we didn't put it in the back of the net when we had the chance to score," Walton said. "It came back to bite us in the end."

Jackson's best opportunity came in the 55th minute when Law Duncan managed to get off a shot at point-blank range. But the blast sailed right of the goal.

Jamie Pickel earned the shutout for the Tigers.