TIGERS SHOOT DOWN TRIBE IN SOCCERFEST

One thing is pretty clear after just a few games of the high school soccer season: Cape Girardeau Central and Jackson are extremely evenly matched.

For the second time in four days, the Tigers and Indians played to a deadlock through regulation.

But unlike during Tuesday's season opener -- which ended in a draw when no overtime was played -- this time Central prevailed 2-1 Friday in a penalty kick shootout during the semifinal round of the Notre Dame Soccerfest.

Central (2-0-1) will take on Carbondale, Ill., at 3 p.m. today for the tournament championship. Carbondale defeated Notre Dame 4-1 in Friday's other semifinal.

Notre Dame (1-1) and Jackson (1-1-1) will square off at 1 p.m. today for third place.

There will also be two other games today: Poplar Bluff vs. Hillsboro (fifth place) at 11 a.m. and Sikeston vs. Farmington (seventh place) at 9 a.m.

"It was a whale of a game," said Central coach Tom Doyle of his squad's battle with Jackson. "I'd say us and Jackson are pretty evenly matched."

Regulation play ended with a 1-1 tie. Central's Luke Fuemmeler, with an assist from Brett McNabb, scored early in the second half while Jackson's Chris Schuette got an unassisted goal later in the half.

Neither team could score during a pair of 10-minute overtime periods, so the game went to a penalty kick shootout. Central scored four times while Jackson tallied three times.

Scoring on the penalty kicks for the Tigers were McNabb, Chris Cole, Justin Shelby and Nathan Gibbar. Scoring for the Indians were Nathan Windeknecht, Ben Turner and David Diebold.

"It was a really good game," said Jackson coach Bonnie Knowlan. "Both teams played well."

In the other semifinal, Carbondale scored after less than 10 seconds of play and never looked back in knocking off the host squad.

Tommy Wencewicz scored the Bulldogs' lone goal, with an assist from Oliver Sander.

SOFTBALL

Kelly 8, Twin Rivers 1

BENTON -- Kelly improved to 3-0 with an easy win Friday.

Brittany Lambert pitched four innings to get the win. She allowed one run. Kim Riley hurled the final three frames.

Natalie Robert doubled twice while Ashley Beggs also had two hits.

VOLLEYBALL

Woodland 15-15

Oran 1-5

ORAN -- Woodland netted an easy two-game victory Friday.

April Campbell had 13 service points for Woodland (1-1) and B.J. Cameron finished with eight kills.

Oran fell to 0-2.

Woodland's JV won 15-2, 3-15, 15-3.

GIRLS TENNIS

Joplin 9, Cape Central 0

COLUMBIA -- Central's Lady Tigers found the going rough Friday during the opening round of the Big 8 Tournament hosted by Columbia Rock Bridge.

Powerhouse Joplin was barely threatened during any of the nine matches played. The Lady Tigers will face Rock Bridge at 8:30 a.m. today and also play again later in the day.

Joplin 9, Central 0

Singles

Erin Rosenberg (J) def. Lisa Ahstrom 6-1, 6-0

Laura Hoffmeister (J) Lara Golike 6-0, 6-1

Depa Mangalat (J) def. Summer Chaudhari 6-3, 6-2

Lisa Skelly (J) def. Rachelle Thomas 6-2, 6-2

Heeral Shaw (J) def. Liz Russell 6-3, 6-4

Nika Manees (J) def. Julie Lessman 6-3, 6-2

Doubles

Rosenberg-Manees (J) def. Ahstrom-Chaudhari 8-0

Mangalat-Skelly (J) def. Golike-Thomas 8-6

Hoffmeister-Shaw (J) def. Russell-Lessman 8-3