Cape Girardeau Central High's girls soccer team has lost just three games over the past three seasons combined -- but Lady Tigers' coach Tom Doyle knows there are no guarantees come district time.

That's why Doyle knows that the Lady Tigers -- despite a glittering, school-best 22-1-2 record -- won't have a cakewalk when the Class 4A, District 1 Tournament is held in Jackson next week.

"You can throw out the records in district," said Doyle.

Central, the No. 1 seed for the four-team tourney, fully expects to meet rival Jackson in the finals. The Lady Indians are seeded second, with Poplar Bluff third and Farmington fourth.

Tuesday's games pit Central against Farmington at 3:15 p.m. and Jackson against Poplar Bluff at about 5. The winners square off at 4 p.m. Thursday for the title and a berth in the sectional round.

The Lady Tigers and Lady Indians (14-6-2) have already played three times this season -- and all three games have been tightly contested. Central prevailed 2-0 and 2-1 while another matchup ended in a scoreless draw.

"Us and Jackson have had some pretty good games already," Doyle said. "You can't overlook anybody, but I believe we'll be playing Jackson in the finals again.

"Three years ago, we had beaten them three times during the season and they beat us in the district semifinals, so records don't show everything."

Jackson coach Bonnie Knowlan is hopeful that the Lady Indians can make the fourth time the charm against the Lady Tigers.

"We've had some really good games with Central this year," she said. "We can't look past Poplar Bluff, but if we make it (to the finals), I'm sure it's going to be another great game."

Central, which has been ranked among the state's top 10 teams most of the year, has lost in the sectional round the last two seasons to the eventual state champion. This year, most of the state's elite teams are in other parts of the bracket, meaning the District 1 winner could have a legitimate shot at advancing deep into the playoffs.

"This year, it looks like our district has got a better draw," Doyle said. "It looks like the team that comes out of this district should have a pretty good chance (at advancing)."

Asked how this year's Central team compares to the standout squads of the past two few seasons, Doyle said, "We're more balanced with our scoring this year and our defense is still tight. We're allowing less than a goal a game and that's very good."

Central goalie Heather Hey has recorded 14 shutouts.

Class 1A-3A, District 1

Notre Dame, Perryville and St. Vincent will compete in this tournament that begins today and is being hosted by Notre Dame of St. Louis.

Perryville (16-3-2) has had an impressive season -- the Lady Pirates handed Cape Central its only defeat -- and is seeded second out of nine teams, behind the host squad.

Cape Notre Dame (12-10-2) is seeded fourth, with St. Vincent (7-8) sixth.

Today's games involving local squads pit Notre Dame vs. No. 5 St. John's at noon, St. Vincent vs. No. 3 St. Pius at 2 p.m. and Perryville vs. No. 7 Lutheran South at 4 p.m.

The semifinals will be Tuesday, with the championship set for 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

"It should be a really interesting tournament," said Notre Dame coach Jeff Worley. "I think it's wide open and several teams have a shot."