JACKSON HIGH WINS DISTRICT SOCCER CROWN

POPLAR BLUFF -- Jackson High won its second straight Class 4A, District 1 soccer title Thursday and turned in the school's first 20-win season in the process.

Behind the 47th and 48th goals of the season by Nathan Windeknecht, Jackson successfully defended its crown with a 4-1 victory over Poplar Bluff.

Jackson improved to 20-4-2 and advances to Tuesday's 7 p.m. sectional game at the Busch Soccer Complex in St. Louis. The Indians' opponent has yet to be determined.

Windeknecht scored the game winner on a breakaway with 11 minutes left in the game as the Indians broke open a tight contest with three late goals.

After a scoreless first half, Raju Dirnberger was credited with a goal nine minutes into the second half when his centering pass was headed into the Poplar Bluff net by a Mule defender.

Poplar Bluff tied the score 1-1 two minutes later and the game remained deadlocked until Spencer Knowlan fed Windeknecht for a breakaway. Dirnberger assisted on another breakaway goal by Windeknecht just minutes later. Knowlan wrapped up the scoring with his 22nd goal of the season off a pass from Chris Kohm.