Jackson wins by one goal yet again

The Jackson girls soccer team may not have been able to record its 18th straight shutout, but the Indians were able to hold off rival Central for a 2-1 overtime victory Wednesday night in the Class 2 District 1 final at Central.

After going more than 1,420 minutes without allowing a goal, Jackson made a bad touch in the backfield and Central's Megan McDonald was able to take advantage to score against Jackson goalie Kylie Werner with 16 minutes remaining. The goal was Central's third against Jackson this season, accounting for 33 percent of the goals Jackson has allowed.

"It was frustrating, but we just didn't give up," Jackson midfielder Kt Biri said. "That's our motto on the sideline."

The goal gave Central new life. The Tigers were unable to get much buildup throughout the game, and McDonald's goal was one of just a handful of shots. But just six minutes later McDonald nearly gave the Tigers the lead, heading a cross from Julie Underwood over the crossbar.

"At practice yesterday, we worked on getting good traps, and heading the ball down," Central coach Tom Doyle said. "That could have been the game."

Jackson (22-3-1) threatened several times late in the game, but after 80 minutes the score remained tied at 1-1. The Indians controlled overtime from the start with McDonald on the sideline with an injury. Less than seven minutes in, Biri sent a high powerful shot over the outstretched arms of Central goalie Lee Thomas to win the game.

"That was just a good hard shot," Jackson coach Zack Walton said.

Added Biri: "I shot it with my left foot, which is my strong foot now. It was just adrenaline; I didn't have to think about it."

Elizabeth Nussbaum started the scoring for Jackson with a goal 18 minutes into the first half. Nussbaum struck a shot just outside the goal box which deflected off the post, off Thomas' back, and into the back of the net. Both Nussbaum and Biri's goals came off feeds from Molly Hartmann.

"I had a lot of girls that played well," Walton said. "Tonight they were all over Molly, so we knew someone would have to step up."

Jackson's win was its fourth against the Tigers this season. All four games were decided by one goal, with three of those games ending in 2-1 scores.

Doyle said he was pleased with the way his team pushed the Indians.

"We're 12-12 and we played a team that's 21-3 to overtime and lost to them four times, each time by just one goal," he said.

Jackson advances to the sectional round for the third straight year. The Indians will play 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton, Mo.