Jackson girls soccer team wins district crown

Rachel Crites netted the game-winning goal on an assist from Jordan Nelson five mintutes into overtime as the top-seeded Jackson girls soccer team defeated third-seeded host Northwest 2-1 in overtime to capture the championship of the Class 4 District 1 Tournament Wednesday in Cedar Hill, Missouri.

"I thought that the girls really battled tonight against a good, quality opponent in Northwest," Jackson coach Justin McMullen said. "Overall, I thought the girls have worked hard, and they've deserved everything they earned."

Nelson scored the first goal on an assist from Crites 17 minutes into the second half for Jackson, which clinched its first district title in five years.

Goalkeeper Sarah Blanton grabbed four saves for the Indians.

Northwest ended its season with a record of 11-14-1 while Jackson improved to 20-2-1 with the victory.

Jackson will face the winner of tonight's Class 4 District 2 tournament title game between top-seeded Cor Jesu Academy (11-8) and third-seeded Lindbergh (11-11) on Tuesday at Houck Stadium on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, which is where the Indians' top two offensive players will be playing in the future.

Nelson has signed her letter of intent to play next season with the Redhawks, and Cassidi Tomsu, a junior, has verbally committed to the program, which is coached by Nelson's mother, head coach Heather Nelson, and father, assistant coach Paul Nelson.