Jackson stops Central in semis

~ The Indians won 4-1 and will play for the Class 3 District 1 soccer title Thursday

Junior Law Duncan scored three goals as top-seeded Jackson reached the championship game of the Class 3 District 1 tournament with a 4-1 victory against rival Central on Tuesday night in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

The Indians improved to 15-6 and will face No. 3 Northwest House Springs at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The victory was Jackson's third of the season against the fourth-seeded Tigers, who closed with a 7-17-3 record.

Duncan netted two of his goals in the first half as Jackson took a 3-1 lead into halftime.

"He played well tonight and he put the ball in the back of the net," Jackson coach Zack Walton said.

Duncan staked the Indians to a 1-0 lead about 10 minutes into the game when he headed in a cross from Jacob Scholl.

Central pulled even about 8 minutes later on goal by senior Jesse Hurt.

Duncan put Jackson ahead around the 25-minute mark with an unassisted goal.

Junior Clayton Baker increased the lead to 3-1 about five minutes later when he sent a drive from about 22 yards out into the net after Central failed to clear its zone.

"It was a good left-footed shot," Walton said.

Duncan added an insurance goal 15 minutes into the second half for a 4-1 lead.

"The back line wasn't as sharp as they normally are, but they picked it up and played better as the game progressed," Walton said.

Jackson junior goalkeeper Austin Baker made a diving save in each half and recorded the win.

Central advanced to the semifinals Monday with a 3-1 first-round victory over Poplar Bluff.

Northwest defeated No. 2 Seckman 1-0 in Tuesday's other semifinal, scoring the game-winner with 1 minute, 30 seconds remaining in the game.

Jackson lost 2-1 to Northwest last month, a game in which it trailed 2-0 at halftime.

"We didn't play real good the first half," Walton said. "We played a lot better the second half and had a lot of opportunities and just didn't put the ball in the back of the net.

"Hopefully we can come out and play like we did the second half."