CHS GIRLS BEGIN QUEST FOR DISTRICT SOCCER TITLE

Jackson is the tournament host, but Cape Central's undefeated girls soccer team will be heavy favorites to claim their second straight District 1 title starting today at the Jackson Soccer Complex.

The Lady Tigers earned the tourney's top seed by completing their second consecutive undefeated regular season last week with a 17-0-1 record. Second-seed Jackson, 13-4-1 including three losses to Central, is hoping to get one more crack at the Lady Tigers in the title game.

Six other teams will also be battling for the district crown, with two first-round games slated for today. Cape Central begins tournament play against eighth-seed Farmington at 3 p.m., and Jackson follows at 5 against No. 7 Windsor. Admission cost is $3 for the state-sponsored event.

Two more games Wednesday complete first-round action. No. 5 St. Pius meets fourth-seed Poplar Bluff (9-8-2) at 3 p.m and third-seed Perryville faces No. 6 Notre Dame (8-12-1) at 5 p.m.

Despite losing several key members to graduation from last year's squad who's only loss came to eventual state-champion Lafayette in sectionals, the Lady Tigers have remained a soccer force in the area.

"We lost some good seniors, but we may be deeper than last season," said Central coach Tom Doyle. "We have some kids that were role players last year and have stepped up and done a little more this year."

In her first season of varsity soccer, freshman Amber Voerg scored a school-record 23 goals and sophomore Amanda Hiler had 13 of the team's 74 scores. Kim Aslinger, a junior, recorded eight assists to lead the Lady Tigers in that category.

On defense, senior Amy Harris has been a stone wall in goal. Harris, with the help of a stingy Lady Tigers' defense, has recorded 13 shutouts this season. Central has allowed only seven goals all season.

"We can't look past anybody," said a cautious Doyle. " We still have to go out and play the games. We can't look at the numbers and expect to have the win handed to us."

Jackson should also be heavy favorites to reach the championship game for the third year in a row. But Jackson coach Bonnie Knowlan will likely be playing two teams the Lady Indians haven't faced yet this season to get there.

"I'd like to get back to the (finals), but we have to go through two teams to get there," Knowlan said. "We're not putting ourselves in the championship game yet. We're certainly not looking past anyone."

Julie Wunderlich has lead the way for Jackson with team-leading totals of 19 goals and 10 assists. Dana Eakins (nine goals, six assists) and Jennifer Horst (nine goals) are also offensive threats.

Semifinals are set for Thursday at 3 and 5 p.m., and the championship game will be played Saturday at 11 a.m. The district winner advances May 28 to the sectional round at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Complex in Fenton.