CHS WINS CROWN OVER A PESKIER PERRYVILLE 3-1

JACKSON -- So maybe Cape Girardeau Central High's girls soccer team would beat Perryville for the fourth time this season Saturday afternoon in the District 1 Tournament championship game.

But battle Perryville did.

The Lady Pirates used their brawn to hold Central scoreless for 59 minutes. But the Lady Tigers scored three times in the last 21 minutes -- including twice in the last five -- and beat Perryville 3-1.

Central, which won its second successive district title, improved to 20-0-1. Perryville, which had upset Jackson 1-0 in overtime in the semifinals, finished 12-7 in its first-ever season.

"I expected a battle, and we got one," said Central coach Tom Doyle. "The first 75 (minutes) was just a nail-biter all the way. They gave us as much as we wanted today."

Some Central players said the game was one of the most physical they had played.

"Oh my gosh, yes," said Central's Jennifer Daume, who scored the game's first goal. "It was a lot more physical than we expected. But the refs weren't calling anything to begin with."

Freshman Amber Voerg, who scored the game winner, said the rough play energized the Lady Tigers.

"It was a really rough game," said Voerg, who set the school record for goals in a season this year with 24. "I think it makes us more enthusiastic. They were talking (trash). I wanted to show them."

Daume scored Central's first goal 19 minutes into the second half. She received a pass from Kim Aslinger deep on the right side and lofted the ball over Perryville's 5-foot-5 goalie, Jenny Blevins.

"Actually, I was going for a pass," Daume said. "I just cross it, and if it goes in it goes in, and if not someone else will be there."

But Perryville answered six minutes later. After a shot off the right post brought Central goalie Amy Harris to that side, the ball went left and Stacy Baer, whose goal beat Jackson in the semifinals, tapped it in.

The score was still 1-1 with five minutes left in the game. Then Voerg raced ahead on a ball booted toward the Perryville goal, controlled it, and poked it in after getting by Blevins, who had come out to meet her.

"I was worn out by that time but I just kept going," Voerg said. "I just beat it out and beat the girl."

Two minutes later, Aslinger got a pass from Melissa Altenthal and fired it in from about 30 yards out on the left side. That gave Central a cushion for the last three minutes.

Central will play the winner of District 2 at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Complex Thursday in Fenton. Last season Central lost its sectional game 1-0 to eventual state champion Lafayette.