ND, CENTRAL POST WINS IN SOCCERFEST

Cape Girardeau Central and the host squad posted convincing victories Thursday as the eight-team Notre Dame Soccerfest got under way.

Cape Central defeated Poplar Bluff 3-0 -- avenging a defeat to the Mules in last year's district final -- while Notre Dame downed Marion (Ill.) 4-0.

In other first-round games, Jackson lost a 1-0, double-overtime heartbreaker to St. Pius and Carbondale (Ill.) knocked off Sikeston 4-1.

Cape Central, which pushed its record to 2-0-1, got goals from Arthur Pilsner, Heath Orr and Jon Mark Thompson. Cody Hill, Calen Wills and Chad Proffer contributed assists while goalkeeper Trevor Blattner recorded the shutout.

Notre Dame, playing its season opener, received goals from Timmy Wencewicz, Andy Arnzen, Tyler Cuba and Dustin Haupt. Scott Wittenborn had an assist and keeper Travis Siebert got the shutout.

"We played all right for our first game but I think we can pass the ball better," said Bulldogs' coach Brad Wittenborn.

In tonight's semifinals, Notre Dame plays St. Pius at 6 and Cape Central faces Carbondale at 8. Also today, the consolation semifinals at 4 p.m. will pit Jackson against Marion and Poplar Bluff against Sikeston.

SOFTBALL

Notre Dame Softballfest

Host Notre Dame remained unbeaten by picking rolling past Ste. Genevieve 7-2 in the first round of its eight-team tournament.

Another first-round game saw St. Vincent rout Park Hills 10-2. Wednesday's opening-round contests saw St. Pius blast Sikeston 13-0 and Poplar Bluff rip Dongola, Ill., 9-1.

Notre Dame (5-0) had nine hits, by nine different players.

Ramona Blankenship was the winning pitcher, allowing both runs and two hits in four innings. She struck out three and walked three. Lindsay Reinagel hurled two hitless frames and Mika Williamson fired a hitless seventh.

Today's semifinals will pit St. Pius against Poplar Bluff at 4 p.m. and Notre Dame against St. Vincent at 5:30.

Poplar Bluff 5, Jackson 4

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Jackson (1-5) had just four hits and suffered a one-run loss to Poplar Bluff.

Heather Tuschoff was the losing hurler, allowing four runs (three earned) and four hits in four innings. Kelly Riggs gave up an unearned run and one hit in two innings.

Chantel Childers led Jackson's offense with two hits.

VOLLEYBALL

Woodland Tournament

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Top-seeded Leopold and second-seeded Bell City posted semifinal victories to advance to tonight's championship match.

Leopold rolled past No. 5 Oran 15-0, 15-4 while Bell City slipped past No. 3 Woodland 15-4, 14-16, 15-10. In a consolation semifinal, No. 7 Greenville downed No. 6 Chaffee 15-8, 15-3.

Today, it will be Greenville vs. No. 4 Zalma at 5 p.m. for fifth place; Woodland vs. Oran at 6:30 p.m. for third place; and Leopold vs. Bell City at 8 p.m. for the title.

Leopold (1-0) got seven kills from Holly Jansen, six kills and seven digs from Kyla Horrell and 18 assists from Wendy Vandeven.

"We played very well," said Leopold coach Leanne Huffman.

Bell City (2-0) was led by Katie Spears with 11 kills and 10 digs. Katie Niemczyk had six kills and 16 service points, Emily Burch had eight digs and Whitney Abner recorded 18 assists.

For Woodland (1-1), Danyel Farrell had five assists and four digs; Jeni Jackson had three kills and four digs; Emily Davis recorded 11 points and four service aces; and Kelly Reed had three blocks.

Ste. Genevieve 15-15

Perryville 10-11

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Perryville (1-1) fell back to the .500 mark after losing in two games.

For the Lady Pirates, Lisa Pecaut scored six points and added 11 assists; Jessalyn Rhyne jad four points and five digs; and Kaci Schremp had six kills and five blocks.

"I saw a lot of positives tonight," Perryville coach Amy Birk said. "We were down 10-3 in the first game and never gave up. We're trying a new offense and our setter is a sophomore. Once she gets some experience, we'll do well."

Perryville's JV lost 13-15, 15-10, 15-11, while the freshmen team won 15-11, 15-10.

GIRLS TENNIS

Farmington 6, Jackson 3

JACKSON, Mo. -- Jackson suffered its first dual-match loss of the season after three victories as a strong Farmington squad prevailed.

"There were some really close matches," said Jackson coach Linda Adams. "Farmington has a very good team."

Jackson's JV rolled 13-3.

Singles

Nicole Poythress (J) def. Kate Karraker 8-4

Ashley Denman (F) def. Katie Domian 8-5

Lauren Polk (F) def. Kelly Mitchell 8-6

Jenny Beffa (F) def. Carly Vogelsang 8-5

Heather Isbell (F) def. Sarah Owen 8-3

Nicole Kofron (F) def. Kari Miinch 8-4

Doubles

Poythress-Vogelsang (J) def. Karraker-Denman 8-6

Domian-Mitchell (J) def. Polk-Beffa 8-6

Isbell-Kofron (F) def. Owen-Lauren Everrett 8-6

Jackson JV winners: (singles) Everrett, Ashley Seabaugh, Carrie Golden, Kali Niswonger, Megan Beil, Maddy Bruegging, Sarah Lichtenegger, Kristi Leimer; (doubles) Miinch-Mandy Burlbaugh, Seabaugh-Golden, Niswonger-Beil, Chelsea Walker-Bruegging, Leimer-Mallory Cobb