Teams face early tests in ND event

Less than a week into the season, area teams will test their progress when the Noon Optimist Spring Classic Girls Soccer Tournament opens today at Notre Dame Regional High School.

The group will include host Notre Dame, Central, Jackson, Poplar Bluff, Farmington, Perryville, St. Vincent and Marion, Ill. Central and St. Vincent, along with Perryville and Farmington, will square off in the day's first two games at 4 p.m. Jackson and Poplar Bluff will play at 6 p.m., and Notre Dame and Marion will play the final game at 8 p.m.

Semifinals and championships are Saturday.

"I think each one of the teams in the tournament looks to win three games," Notre Dame coach Jeff Worley said. "We have pretty high expectations for ourselves."

Notre Dame, Perryville and Central opened their seasons with wins, while the Squaws are off to an 0-2 start. Jackson will make its season debut at the weekend tournament.

While the tournament does not count toward conference standings, results from the tournament could affect district seedings down the road.

"Really for all of us we're playing for our district seeds," Worley said. "This sets the table for things to come. This weekend really means a lot to all of us."

Worley said playing against the top area teams will help shape his team.

"We'll only get better by playing good teams that push us to our limits," he said.

Coming off a big win over St. Louis Notre Dame on Monday, Bulldogs senior defender Ali Tyson said the tournament could be a spring board to a successful season.

"I think we're going to build on that," Tyson said of the tournament. "It will help get us in shape and get us in the flow of things."

Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 171