Jackson freshman steps forward in Indians' 2 OT win against ND

JACKSON — Freshman Clayton Baker was asked by Jackson coach Zack Walton to take on a new role as a forward when this fall season began.

Baker, who played mostly midfield while playing soccer in St. Louis before entering high school, scored the game winning goal against Notre Dame on Thursday, leading the Indians past the rival Bulldogs 1-0 in double overtime.

"It's a big victory," Baker said. "Our defense played really well and has won some of our games for us, and I capitalized on that goal."

Jackson improved to 7-8. Notre Dame dropped to 11-2.

Baker's goal came with time winding down in double overtime and a shootout looming. Baker kicked it past Bulldogs keeper Ryan Bass from about 20 feet out.

"I passed the ball to [Tyler Trierweiler], he took it to the corner, and had a nice cross in, and then Notre Dame had a weak ball out, and I shot it and it ricocheted in," Baker said.

The game was physical with the Bulldogs given three yellow cards and Jackson flashed two yellow cards. Notre Dame senior Nick Wren also was taken to the hospital with a compound fracture in his right arm, Notre Dame coach Brad Wittenborn said.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.com Notre Dame's Nick Wren rams into Jackson's Clayton Baker in the second half of the game at Jackson Thursday. The collision injured Ross' right arm. Jackson defeated Notre Dame 1-0 in double overtime.

"Any time you're going to play Cape (Central) and Notre Dame, it's going to get physical out there," Walton said. "You've just kind of got to expect it's going to happen."

Notre Dame had five shots on goal and Jackson had six. The Bulldogs had 18 shots overall and the Indians had eight.

"I think both teams played hard," Wittenborn said. "We lost our composure a little bit after Nick Wren got hurt. It looks like he's got a compound fracture of the arm. The bone was coming through the skin a little bit there. ... The kids were visibly upset. I think we lost our composure for a little bit after. I was doing my best to try to get us focused, and maybe I didn't do a good enough job. I thought at the end of the game we played pretty well. The ball bounced the right way for them and the wrong way for us."

Walton said he needed a player to step up at forward and Baker has done the job.

Notre Dame's Brock Dirnberger, left, and Jackson's Todd Heuring collided while heading the ball during the first half Thursday night.

"Clayton's a very versatile player," Walton said. "We can play him anywhere we really need him. Right now we needed a forward. That was the big hole we needed to fill this year. And he's been able to step up and do that. I think if we needed a defender, we could probably move him back as well, too."

Baker said he likes playing forward more than the midfield.

"I like it a lot up there, especially when our mids are passing to our feet," Baker said.

Baker has an older brother, junior Corey Baker, who is a sweeper for Jackson. Baker said his brother has helped him adjust to the varsity team.

Notre Dame's Jonathon Clements, left, and Jackson's Clayton Baker keep their eyes on the ball during the second half Thursday at Jackson. The Indians won 1-0 in double overtime. Additional photos can be seen at semissourian.com. ELIZABETH DODD edodd@ semissourian.com

I think he played awesome [today]," Clayton Baker said of his brother's effort. "Our whole defense was strong."

Jackson senior goalie Justin Darnell recorded five saves. Jackson has now beaten both Central and Notre Dame on its home field this season.

"It's huge," Darnell said of the win. "It's almost bigger than Cape. This is one of the rare years where we've beaten Cape and Notre Dame on our home field. It just feels amazing.

"[Baker] really stepped up. He's not a forward, but he's stepped up and become a forward for us."

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.com Notre Dame's Brock Dirnberger, left, and Jackson's Todd Heuring collide while heading the ball during the first half of a 1-0 Indian victory in double overtime at Jackson Thursday night.