HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: LATE GOAL ELIMINATES JACKSON

JACKSON, Mo. -- The Jackson Indians' 2000 season came to a heartbreaking end on Tuesday as the Poplar Bluff Mules scored a last-minute goal for a 1-0 district soccer victory.

The semifinal loss at the Jackson Soccer Complex eliminated the No. 2 seeded Indians (13-5-2) from the Class 4A, District 1 soccer playoffs, while the No. 3 Mules (14-8-3) advanced to the finals against top seed Cape Central on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

Cape Central holds a 2-0 edge over Poplar Bluff this season.

Poplar Bluff's first-ever win on Jackson turf, even though it took the season series 3-1, saw the Mules capitalize finally at the 1:30 minute mark of the hard-fought match.

"It was a battle and it's tough when it comes down to those last two minutes and someone sneaks one in," said Jackson coach Zach Walton.

The Mules' Jerrad Roehrs came in off the back post and headed in a corner kick from Jamie Waddell to break the 78-minute scoring drought and send the Mules on to the district finals for only the second time. In their previous appearance in '98, Poplar Bluff lost to Jackson 4-1.

Speaking of the scoring play, Walton said, "They beat us to the ball in the air all night. That was one of our weak points. They're a real physical team with a lot of seniors and they had a lot of drive to win the game."

Bodies were flying around as the action was aggressive, but clean -- no penalty cards -- with each team missing some scoring opportunities throughout the contest.

"Jackson played well, particularly in the first half," said Poplar Bluff coach Duncan Gittins. "We were lucky to be in it. We had a few chances in the second half and at the end Jackson had one."

That Jackson chance turned out to be huge.

Jackson's Michael Schuette, with about four minutes to go in the game, broke in alone on the Poplar Bluff goalie, but his shot missed wide right.

Unfortunately for Jackson, a couple of minutes later the Mules didn't miss.

"That's a tough way to end the season," said Walton. "These kids played hard and learned to come together as a team. We just didn't capitalize on the opportunities we had today. You can't do that in a district game."