JACKSON GETS 1ST TASTE OF SECTIONAL

It's been a history-making season for the Jackson Indians soccer squad as they enter their first-ever Class 4A Sectional soccer match tonight at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Complex in Fenton.

The Indians, winners of District 1 with a 14-3-6 record, will face the Lindbergh Flyers at 5:30 p.m. Lindbergh (21-2-4) emerged as the No. 3 seed to claim the District 2 title.

The Indians earned the spot in tonight's sectional by knocking off five-time defending District 1 champion Cape Central 3-0 in Thursday's final.

"That was a major goal," said third-year Jackson coach Bonnie Knowlan. "The minute I stepped on the field as the new coach, that's what those boys wanted. I credit them with their discipline to go out and take that (district) championship."

But the Indians aren't just satisfied with the district crown.

"I think its pretty much decided when you win districts down here, that's going to be all you can get," said Knowlan. "I would like to think this team has the potential to do more than that."

Considering the Indians' record-setting season, anything appears to be possible. For example:

* Junior forward Nathan Windeknecht broke the Jackson single-season record for goals with 27.

* Senior goalkeeper Jeremy Balsman, currently recovering from a sprained ankle, recorded nine shutouts to break another single-season record.

* Jackson's 14 victories this season are the most in the history of the school, improving off last year's mark of 13-6.

"Even though Nathan had the most goals, the good thing about this team is there isn't really one dominant player," Knowlan said. "This group of young men have really worked together and gotten these goals by helping one another out."

Besides Windeknecht's record-setting scoring, four other Indians recorded double-digits in goals. Midfielder Joe Smith scored 14 goals while forward Spencer Knowlan recorded 11 and Brandon Blattel and Chris Schuette added 10 each.

Knowlan and Chris Kohm led Jackson with eight assists each, but Kohm is questionable tonight with a shoulder injury. Shuette and Zane McClard both added seven assists. Of the Indians' 77 goals, 57 were assisted. Jackson allowed only 18 goals, five on penalty kicks.

Lindbergh, which hasn't lost in its last 21 games, beat the top two seeds in its district to claim its spot in the sectional. John Pedroli (25 goals, 11 assist) and Joe Brannon (12 goals) are the only double-digit scorers for the Flyers.

Other players to watch are Tim Spencer (eight goals, nine assists), Steve Ramsey (10 assists) and goalkeeper Bill Walters (15-1-4). The Flyers have outscored their opponents 89-15 this year.

Lindbergh beat top-seeded Oakville 1-0 in its district final Friday, and after witnessing the game, Knowlan feels fortunate to be playing the Flyers.

"I was kind of glad they won because Oakville was a much bigger team than Lindbergh," Knowlan said. "They're a good team, but it was obvious Oakville was a stronger team."

The Indians appear evenly matched with the Flyers.

"I think we're quicker than them, especially up front," said Knowlan. "Lindbergh's style against Oakville looked a lot slower than what we're used to playing."

One disadvantage for the Indians may be playing on the artificial turf of A-B Soccer Complex. Jackson has played there only once this season, tying Springfield-Glendale 0-0.

"That's a disadvantage for us because I'm sure those St. Louis teams get on there more than once," Knowlan said. "But our style of play is a little more suited to the turf than it has been in the past. We keep it on the ground more and play a lot more possession. Hopefully we can make that field work for us."

With two of their best games behind them, the Indians appear ready for their first taste of state-playoff soccer.

"These guys are really confident," Knowlan said of her team. "They've played better the last two games than they played all season so hopefully we're peaking about the right time.

"We'll have to play with the same intensity that we played with against Cape."