Nerinx Hall nets two, holds Jackson scoreless in quarterfinal bout

It took just four minutes for Nerinx Hall to find the winner, going up by a goal and holding on to the lead to take a 2-0 victory against the hosting Jackson Indians and advance to a MSHSAA Class 4 semifinal in Fenton, Mo.

The Jackson defense, spearheaded by senior Emilia Wunderlich and led in goal by sophomore Camryn Alsdorf, held the Markers to just two goals in a rematch of 2022’s quarterfinal matchup, in which Nerinx Hall took a 5-0 victory in Webster Groves, Mo.

Jackson's Camryn Alsdorf holds onto the ball after breaking up the play during a May 27, 2023 matchup between Jackson and Nerinx Hall at Jackson Junior High School in Jackson, Mo. Nerinx Hall defeated Jackson, 2-0, to advance to a Class 4 semifinal game.Cole Lee ~ Southeast Missourian

“Only two losses on the season,” Indians coach Justin McMullen said. “Every season, you want to be in the last game. They'll look back on this and know that they were pretty close to that, but they definitely don't have anything to hold their heads about. They’re gonna be proud of the season and their accomplishments this year.”

The loss is just the second of the year for the hosting Indians, losing to Glendale on Apr. 15 before stringing together 10 consecutive victories entering the matchup. Seniors Justi Nelson and Maci Wendel, paired with Wunderlich in the back, led the Indians to one of the best regular seasons in program history.

“They have passion, they have heart, they have everything you’d want in a teammate,” Nelson said. “I'm really proud that I got to win three district championships with them and that we've gotten to go to quarterfinals two years in a row now.

“They brought a lot of leadership and they made me a better person and a better player all around. I'm very thankful for the time I got to spend with them.”

The Jackson defense played strong in the back half, preventing the Markers from operating inside of the box and clearing multiple opportunities in tight. Alsdorf used one of her best efforts of the season to limit Nerinx Hall to just two goals in the contest, their lowest of the postseason so far.

Alsdorf exited the game with five minutes remaining in the first half after an apparent knee injury but re-entered the game at the start of the second half after some work with trainer Jake Klein on the sideline and during halftime.

Jackson's Maddie Stelling battles for possession during a May 27, 2023 matchup between Jackson and Nerinx Hall at Jackson Junior High School in Jackson, Mo. Nerinx Hall defeated Jackson, 2-0, to advance to a Class 4 semifinal game.Cole Lee ~ Southeast Missourian

“Camryn was brave for us all year,” McMullen said. “She's a tough kid. When she went down and [Klein] checked her out, and she said she was fine, I knew she would be back for the second half.

“As far as the underclassmen for this team, we have a bright future. We graduate four, but we have a lot of young ones that have gotten a lot of experience this year that I'm going to be looking forward to in the next couple of years.”

With the win, Nerinx Hall moves into the state semifinal stage, beginning play in the final four in Fenton, Mo. against either Liberty of Wentzville or Lafayette at 4 p.m. on June 2.