A shot by Cape Girardeau Central High's Lori Bittle three minutes into the championship game of the Noon Optimist Kickoff Classic cut through a brisk wind and found the net. In Jackson coach Bonnie Knowlan's mind, that decided the match although 77 minutes remained.

Then at halftime, after Jackson had failed to take advantage of the gusts directing the ball toward Central's goal in the first half, Knowlan knew the game was over.

Central went on to win 3-0 Thursday at Shawnee Park.

"When we were behind 1-0 in the first half," Knowlan said, "the game was pretty much over. We had to be ahead (at halftime). If you don't score with the wind blowing 40 miles an hour, you're in trouble.

"We were down on their end a lot, and we only took six shots that went on goal the whole half. We didn't take advantage of the opportunities that I felt like we had. We didn't shoot; I don't know why."

Central coach Tom Doyle said the goal gave his team unexpected momentum, considering he moved one offensive player to defense to help combat the wind.

"We knew that if we could hold (Jackson) scoreless in the first half," he said, "our chances would be pretty good. Playing against wind is like playing against 12 or 13 players. Scoring three minutes into the first half against the wind was just a bonus."

Although Jackson (2-1) had opportunities early in the second half, Central goalie Amy Harris denied all comers. Doyle said Bittle did an excellent job of defending Julie Wunderlich, Jackson's top player, and Erica McDonald marked Jackson's Dana Eakins well.

Meanwhile, the Lady Tigers (3-0) took advantage of the wind and scored twice.

McDonald scored at the 67-minute mark as Jackson attempted to clear the ball and McDonald kicked it in mid-air into the goal.

"That goal that Erica McDonald got was a huge goal," said Doyle. "It was a good, hard shot on kind of a loose ball that was coming out of the penalty area."

Three minutes later, Spring DeCramer headed in a loose ball in front of Jackson's goal.

In other tournament games Thursday, Perryville beat Poplar Bluff 4-2 in the third-place game, and Notre Dame and Carbondale (Ill.) tied 1-1 in the fifth-place match.

About six minutes into the game, Notre Dame's Jill Edwards scored on a pass from Michelle Hency. Carbondale then tied the game with about seven minutes left. Notre Dame moved to 1-1-1.