TIGERS MCNABB A WIN IN OPENER

JACKSON -- Though Jackson and Cape Central looked equal, one sweet-and-low penalty kick made the season opener considerably sweeter for the Tigers.

Central's Brett McNabb booted home a penalty kick at about the 30-minute mark in the second half and that proved to be the difference as the visiting Tigers walked away with a 1-0 win over their rivals Tuesday.

John Mark Thompson drew a tripping call, which set up McNabb's score.

"I've had a game over here where we lost 1-0 on a penalty kick, so I know how (Jackson coach) Bonnie (Knowlan) is feeling right now," said Cape Central coach Tom Doyle. "I thought both teams played well for the first game. The effort was there on both sides. They're a good team."

Aside from the one goal, the teams were about as even as they could be.

Both teams missed out on several scoring opportunities. Jackson out-shot Central 11-8, but both goalkeepers -- Central's Trevor Blattner and Jackson's Bryan Sander -- had five saves.

Speaking of even, the two schools have opened the season against each other for six years now. In the season openers against each other, both teams have three wins.

"We did all what we needed to do except score," said Knowlan. "We played good defense. But we knew going (into the season) that offense would be something we would have to emphasize. We just have a young team. We'll get there. We just need to shoot more. We were hesitating out there."

Jackson actually had the best opportunity to score a goal of the non-penalty variety.

At about the 15-minute mark of the first half, Jackson junior Greg Schwab had a one-on-one opportunity against Blattner. Blattner aggressively attacked the shot and blocked it shortly after it left Schwab's foot.

"He had three or four really good saves," Doyle said. "Trevor is real quick and has good instincts. We broke down a couple of times and they didn't get a goal out of it."

The game went in spurts in the first half.

Cape Central put heavy pressure on Jackson in the first 10 minutes. Jackson then turned the momentum and had Central against the ropes for the next 15 minutes or so.

The teams' offenses didn't look quite as sharp in the second half. Toward the end of the game, after Central had taken the lead, Jackson had more opportunities, but their shots were off the mark and Central's defense came up with some good defensive plays to thwart Jackson's attacks.