Jackson shoots for fourth consecutive district crown

For Jackson's current crop of varsity soccer players, district championships are all they know.

The Indians have three district titles in the program's history, each coming in the last three seasons. And Jackson is seeded first as it tries to make it four straight when the Class 2 District 1 tournament begins Tuesday at Jackson.

Jackson has been dominant in the regular season, compiling a 18-2 record while allowing just 12 goals.

"We've had a pretty good season, but that's regular season," Jackson coach Zack Walton said. "This is district, so now is the time to really play hard."

The team is led by senior Molly Hartmann, who has climbed to No. 3 on the state's career goals scored list. Hartmann has scored 27 goals this season, brining her career total to 128.

Jackson also has been efficient on the defensive end again. Junior goalie Kylie Werner has 12 shutouts this season.

"We take pride in that," Walton said. "We've changed some people around since the beginning of the season, and that's really helped us."

The Indians likely will have rival Central as their main competitors once again this season. Jackson defeated Central 5-0 on May 3 in the last meeting between the two teams.

"Anything's possible," Walton said. "You can't look past a Farmington, or a Cape Central or anyone. You just have to take it one game at a time."

Central (11-7-1) had won the previous five district titles before Jackson's current streak.

Class 1 District 1

Unlike the past few seasons, Notre Dame is the not the clear favorite in its district tournament.

Notre Dame (12-9-3), winner of the past two district titles and a final four team each of those years, is seeded third. The Bulldogs will face No. 2 Perryville in the Class 1 District 1 semifinals today at Sikeston.

"We took some tough losses early on," Notre Dame coach Jeff Worley said. "I think the teams in the area are so close together. I think that's helped make us strong. I've been pleased with the girls, how resilient they are."

The Bulldogs split a pair of games with No. 2 Perryville and are 1-2 against top-seeded St. Vincent. All three games against the Squaws were 1-0 games.

"Every team going into it should feel their chances are good," Worley said.

The Squaws are 12-11 heading into today's semifinal matchup with Sikeston. St. Vincent is searching for its first girls soccer district title.

Perryville, also searching for its first district title, heads into today's semifinal with a 9-11 record.

CLASS 1 DISTRICT 1

at Sikeston

Teams: No. 1 St. Vincent (12-11), No. 2 Perryville (9-11), No. 3 Notre Dame (12-9-3), No. 4 Sikeston (5-15-2), No. 5 Fredericktown

Schedule: Saturday, Sikeston defeated Fredericktown; Monday, St. Vincent vs. Sikeston, 5 p.m.; Perryville vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, championship, 6 p.m.

CLASS 2 DISTRICT 1

at Jackson

Teams: No. 1 Jackson (18-2), No. 2 Central (11-7-1), No. 3 Poplar Bluff (8-9-2), No. 4 Farmington

Schedule: Tuesday, Jackson vs. Farmington, 5 p.m.; Central vs. Poplar Bluff, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, championship 6 p.m.