Jackson soccer enters tourney unbeaten

~ The Indians take a 5-0 record into the Kickapoo Girls Shootout.

The Jackson girls soccer team remains undefeated and unscored upon in five games heading into a weekend tournament in Springfield, Mo.

Jackson will face Jefferson City today in the opening round of the Kickapoo Girls Shootout. Also in the gold bracket of the tournament are host Kickapoo, Francis Howell, Gibault, Raytown South, Springdale and Mehlville. The finals are Saturday.

"I really think this weekend will be a good test for us," Jackson coach Zack Walton said. "The St. Louis and Kansas City teams we played last weekend were good teams, but not great teams. This weekend should be a little more of a test for us."

The Indians improved to 5-0 thanks to a pair of 1-0 victories over the weekend at the Hazelwood College Showcase. Jackson knocked off Park Hill of Kansas City and host school Hazelwood Central. Jackson goalie Lindsay Poole, in her first year as the varsity starter, has been in goal for all five shutouts.

So far the Indians have outscored their opponents 15-0. Among the wins are shutouts of conference rivals Central and Notre Dame. The Indians are excelling on defense while implementing a new three-forward system for the first time this season.

"That defense, they're pretty good right now," Walton said. "We'll see how the year goes. We're playing a new system and a lot of the girls have had to adjust, and for them to come out with five shutouts right off the bat is really saying a lot."

Jackson, ND in soccer poll

Jackson and Notre Dame were each ranked in the initial Missouri Soccer Coaches Association polls.

Jackson, undefeated through five games, is ranked No. 11 in Class 2. Incarnate Word is ranked atop Class 2.

Notre Dame is ranked No. 10 in Class 1. Duchesne is ranked No. 1 in Class 1.

Oran baseball ranked third

Oran's baseball team was ranked third in the first regular season Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association top 10 poll.

The Eagles are 9-1 after taking three of four games at the St. Louis Midwest Classic. Oran finished third in Class 1 last year.

Also ranked in Class 1 is Saxony Lutheran. The Crusaders, a quarterfinal team last year, are ranked No. 9.

Central is ranked No. 6 in Class 4. The Tigers are 7-4 to start the season.

Chaffee baseball tourney

Chaffee will host its annual Red Devils Baseball Classic starting Friday, April 20.

The Red Devils will open play against Egyptian, Ill. Malden will play Perryville, Shawnee (Ill.) will face Saxony Lutheran and Scott City will play Bell City in opening-round action.

The championship game is scheduled for April 21.

Events rescheduled

Cold weather led to the postponement of the Jackson Invitational Track Meet on April 7, but local track teams will get another chance to show their stuff.

The event has been rescheduled for 2 p.m. on April 24.

Central and Notre Dame had their SEMO Conference baseball game delayed for the second time due to wet conditions Wednesday. The Tigers led 3-0 in the bottom of the first when the game was stopped.

The teams will resume play at Notre Dame on May 2.