CHS EDGES LADY PIRATES

A match featuring Cape Central and Perryville -- arguably, two of the best girls soccer teams in the area -- figured to be closely contested.

The game lived up to expectations as the Lady Tigers edged the Lady Pirates 1-0 on an unassisted score by Katie Hawkins at the Southeast Missouri State intramural field Wednesday.

Hawkins beat a defender and deposited the game-winning goal at the 17-minute mark of the opening half.

"That was a gut goal," said Cape Central coach Tom Doyle. "Katie worked her tail off for that goal; she just wanted it more than the other girl."

The Cape Central win evened the season series with Perryville at 1-1, as the Lady Pirates had taken an earlier match by an identical 1-0 score.

Perryville pressured Cape Central (12-5-6) throughout the second half, but was unable to find the net.

The Lady Pirates finished with 17 shots on goal to only six for the Lady Tigers, with a 10-1 advantage in the second half.

Heather Hey, in goal, shut out Perryville and was credited with 10 saves.

"We played much better that second half than we did in the first," said Lady Pirates coach Brean LeMaster. "I think right now we're physically and mentally kind of drained. We've had three hard games in three days."

Perryville (18-3-3), enjoying a sensational season, has faced Hillsboro, Jackson and Cape Central on consecutive days.

Speaking about the key to their successful season, LeMaster, without hesitation, praised seniors Brooke Winkler, Stacy Baer, Jamie Amberger and Robyn Mueller.

"Our four have really led us through every game," LeMaster said.

On the other side, the Lady Tigers' gutsy performance was even more impressive considering the absence of leading scorer and all-stater Amber Voerg.

Voerg was hospitalized with an undiagnosed illness Tuesday and is awaiting test results.

"We're still a little banged up," said Doyle. "We didn't have Amber today and Alyssa Holyfield had ACL surgery yesterday."

As district play begins next week for all teams, the top-seeded Lady Tigers host district foe Poplar Bluff, the third seed, today.

"This was a good test for us," said Doyle. "Now we can't let down against Poplar Bluff. If they come up here and beat us, all of a sudden, they've got all kind of confidence."

The Cape Central and Perryville JV squads played to a scoreless tie in regulation, with no overtime period.