Lafayette stops Jackson with shutout

FENTON, Mo. -- Michelle Moody finally ended the scoring drought between the Jackson Indians and the Lafayette Lancers.

Moody, a Lafayette freshman, scored the only goal Saturday in Lafayette's 1-0 win over Jackson in a Class 2 quarterfinal at the Anheuser-Busch Conference & Soccer Centre.

The second-half tally also was the only regulation goal scored by either team in two games, which covered 180 minutes. With the win, Lafayette (20-1-3) accounted for two of Jackson's three losses this season, the other coming on a shootout that decided a scoreless game that went two overtimes.

"I thought that's how it was going to go," said Jackson coach Zack Walton, whose team finished 22-3. "It was going to be a 1-0 game for somebody. Unfortunately it came out to their side."

Moody scored on a scramble in front of the Jackson goal 14 minutes into the second half.

The play started on a Sarah Marsh corner kick into the goalmouth that Jackson goalie Whitney Werner was able to bat away. The ball was momentarily cleared outside the top of the box by a Jackson defender, but Lafayette's Amanda Lauber sent the ball back in front of the net. After the ball caromed off a couple players in the goalmouth, Moody finally kicked it into the left side of the net. An Indian defender appeared to get a piece of the ball, but not enough.

"We let them get a corner, and we didn't want them to get corners because they try to pack it in," Jackson sweeper Ashley Bartels said. "They're pretty tall, and they get off headers and try to capitalize on those things. We just wanted to get it out of there."

Jackson moved the ball well most of the game but had problems getting quality shots on Lancer goalie Courtney Carmody.

Jackson was making its first quarterfinal appearance after winning its second straight District 1 title.

"I thought our girls played well," Walton said. "They had a good season and don't have anything to hang their heads about. We came up here and knew we could have a chance, and we did. I think we proved a little bit to some people that Southeast Missouri can compete. We've got some talent and can play with some people."

Lafayette advances to the semifinals against St. Teresa's Academy (20-5-2).

jbreer@semissourian.com

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