Jackson edges Northwest in district final

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jackson junior Ryan Schlick loved the result but didn't think much of the look of his shot in the waning seconds of Thursday's first half.

Schlick swung his leg around to knock a low shot toward the Northwest goal, and the ball bounced up and over Lions goalie Caleb Day for the game's first goal.

"I knew there was about 10 seconds left, but I didn't know exactly how much time," Schlick said. "I was just thinking shoot. Luckily it went in. It wasn't a good shot."

The Indians added a goal after halftime then fended off Northwest's furious rally to earn the 2-1 victory and claim the Class 3 District 1 boys soccer championship.

"It's awesome," Jackson senior Brice Steger said. "I can't describe it. It's a good way to finish. Hopefully we keep winning."

Jackson's Sam Duncan is tripped while trying to break away from Northwest's Andrew Kaup-Breeden during the first half of the Class 3 District 1 title game Thursday in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Jackson won 2-1. (Fred Lynch)

Steger earned an assist on Schlick's goal by threading a pass in from the right side as the public address announcer counted down the final 10 seconds of the half.

"Brice did a nice job," Jackson coach Zack Walton said. "He didn't panic. They were counting the clock down and didn't just whack it or just kick. Played a good ball over and we just put it in the back of the net. That was a great way to end the half."

The goal came as a bit of redemption for Schlick, who missed a penalty kick with about 15 minutes left in the first half. He pulled his low shot right of the goal as Day dived to the left.

"The first one I missed all year," Schlick said. "I had to make up for it."

Schlick's goal relieved some pressure after the Indians dominated play for most of the first half. They pelted Day with shots and earned plenty of corner kicks but couldn't put one past the Northwest keeper until Schlick bounced one in.

Jackson's Brice Steger, left, and Ryan Schlick celebrate Schlick's goal against Northwest during the final seconds of the first half. Steger assisted on the goal.

"It was a good reward right there," Walton said. "The boys had played well, played hard. Especially for Schlick, missing the PK and he earned it the tough way. I was proud of him for coming back and keeping his head in the game and being able to put that away."

The Indians (16-6) continued to pour on the pressure in the second half but couldn't add an insurance goal until just more than 11 minutes remained in the contest. Nick Rangel played a ball toward the goal and Steger headed it home for the 2-0 lead.

"It was really big," Steger said. "It felt great."

Northwest finally took control of play shortly after Steger's goal. The Lions started pressuring the Indians and Jackson fell into a defensive shell. Northwest made the Indians pay when they scored off Tyler Wheat's corner kick to cut the Indians' lead to 2-1.

"Once they scored that first goal, they got a lot more confidence," Steger said. "We knew we'd have to keep the pressure on them."

Jackson's Brice Steger is hoisted up by Cody Boehme after Steger scored Jackson's second goal against Northwest during the second half of the Class 3 District 1 title game Thursday in Poplar Bluff, Mo. (Fred Lynch)

Northwest ratcheted up the pressure but couldn't get the equalizer.

"Got a little panicked there at the end, but that's typical," Walton said. "Made a little mistake in the back there and they got one on us. But the boys played well."

Thursday marked the second meeting between the teams. Northwest defeated Jackson 2-1 earlier this season, but Jackson kept the Lions out of an offensive rhythm until the final 10 minutes of the game when Northwest was forced to push up in an attempt to even the score.

"Our center mids stood out tonight," Walton said. "Schlick got a goal and the many of times Clay won the ball in the middle of the field."

The Lions showed plenty of frustration during the game, finishing with five yellow cards to none for Jackson.

Jackson's Ryan Schlick attempts a shot as Northwest's Andrew Kaup-Breeden defends during the second half.

The Indians advanced to the sectional round, where they will face Parkway South (17-6-3) at 6 p.m. Tuesday.