Soccer

The Notre Dame cross country teams picked up the championships in each gender division in the Farmington Invitational at Engler Park on Saturday. Freshman Esperanza Zalite was the first runner to cross the finish line on the girls' side with a time of 20 minutes, 9.59 seconds to lead the Lady Bulldogs to victory. Teammates Paige Beussink and Kathryn Taylor landed in the Top 10 at fourth and eighth, respectively, as Notre Dame edged host Farmington by three points to capture the girls' title...

Poplar Bluff's Brylee Misner blasted two home runs and had three RBIs as the Mules ended Cape Girardeau Central's softball season Wednesday in the Class 4 District 1 Tournament with a 13-3 victory in the quarterfinals at Jackson City Park. The Mules used four three-run innings in enacting the 10-run rule in the sixth inning...

CARTERVILLE, Ill. — Two goals from senior Jeffrey Thornbrough made the difference for the Sikeston soccer team on Tuesday night. Sikeston defeated Carterville, Illinois, on the road, 2-1 to move to 10-12 on the season. It was also the Bulldogs last regular season game of the year and will take the pitch next on October 30, at the district tournament, at the Sikeston Recreation Complex...

The Saxony Lutheran softball team scored one run in the final inning to eke out an 8-7 victory over host Herculaneum on Friday. Zoie Roth went the distance in the circle to obtain the win for Saxony (4-11). Six of the seven runs allowed were earned and she recorded two strikeouts and six walks...

SIKESTON — Two days after losing a tough, three-set match to Portageville, the Sikeston volleyball team returned to the court, at the Sikeston Field House, for senior night on Thursday against Malden. The Bulldogs lost both sets, as the Green Wave exposed Sikeston’s weakness, at the setter position...

Jake Sauerbraunn scored on free kick with 10 minutes left in regulation as the Jackson boys soccer team completed a 3-2 comeback victory over host Northwest in Cedar Hill, Missouri. Chalon Domian had given Jackson (13-1-2) a 1-0 lead midway through the first half, but Northwest countered with a pair of goals for the lead at halftime...

Wil Essner and Jake Sauerbrunn each sank two goals to lead the Jackson boys soccer team to a 7-0 victory over North County on Monday at Jackson Junior High School. Ryan Kinder and Noah Sparks netted one goal apiece for the Indians, who improved to 12-1-2 with the win. Chalon Domian had the other goal and also had an assist for the hosts and Chayton Bass added one assist...

Chalon Domian netted two goals as the Jackson boys soccer team picked up a key conference victory in its 3-0 win over Farmington on Thursday at Jackson Junior High School. Colton Seyer scored the other goal for the Indians, who improved to 11-1-2 and 4-0 in the SEMO Conference. Logan Geare provided one assist for Jackson, which snapped the Knights' five-game winning streak with the victory...

SIKESTON — Senior night turned into a night to remember for the Sikeston boys soccer team on Thursday at the Sikeston Recreation Complex. The Bulldogs completed a clean sweep in their week of matches, with it all culminating in a golden goal win 15 seconds into overtime against Poplar Bluff...

The Cape Girardeau Central girls tennis team finished one point ahead of Kennett to dethrone the defending tournament champion Indians and win the SEMO Conference Tournament on Friday at Notre Dame Regional High School. Jordan Maxton won the singles championship for the Tigers in an 8-4 victory over Kennett's Emma Phillips. Kennett's Sydni McAtee and Darcy Campbell defeated Jackson's Sarah Fetterhoff and Chloe Pipkin 8-0 for the doubles championship...

Sierra Burch blasted a home run, a double and drove in three runs to lead the Jackson softball team to a 6-4 victory over rival Notre Dame on Thursday at Jackson City Park. Notre Dame scored three of its runs in the top of the seventh before Karli Johnson shut the door for a complete-game win in the circle. She allowed four earned runs and recorded five strikeouts and three walks...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Down two goals with 10 minutes to play, the Sikeston boys soccer team found a way to claw back into the game against Saxony Lutheran on the road on Monday. The Bulldogs scored two goals in that time frame — both by Alfonso Vera — to get the game into overtime, and eventually win in penalty kicks 4-3. Vera finished with three goals in the match...

Hannah Shinn put down nine kills as Jackson volleyball clinched the regular-season conference championship of the SEMO Conference North Division with the 25-13, 25-21 win over Sikeston. Mackenzie Stoner slammed eight kills for Jackson (9-1, 4-0 SEMO North Conference) while Emily Scott added five kills and two aces. Lainey Broussard tallied 20 assists, two kills and two aces for the Indians...

SIKESTON — For the first time in five years, the Sikeston soccer team defeated rival-Notre Dame on Tuesday at the Sikeston Recreation Complex. The Bulldogs won 2-1, behind goals from Trey Drake and Alfonso Vera. “My assistant coach Jared Boyd, his team, beat them twice five years ago in that season, so it’s been awhile,” Sikeston head coach Gabe Dement said. ...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Down two goals with 10 minutes to play, the Sikeston boys soccer team found a way to claw back into the game against Saxony Lutheran on the road on Monday. The Bulldogs scored two goals in that time frame — both by Alfonso Vera — to get the game into overtime, and eventually win in penalty kicks 4-3. Vera finished with three goals in the match...

The Advance volleyball team added two more wins to its flawless record and improved to 7-0 on the season with victories over Valle Catholic and host Jackson at the inaugural Spike Fest Challenge at Jackson High School on Saturday. The Hornets swept the Warriors in straight sets (25-23, 25-22) in their first game of the day, dropping the Warriors' record to 2-4. ...

The Advance volleyball team kept its undefeated season alive and picked up a key district win on Thursday night with a 25-18, 25-14 sweep of Leopold at Advance High School. Both teams will be competing in Class 1 District 3 Tournament and Thursday's result could tilt the potential district seedings in the Hornets' favor...

SIKESTON — The Sikeston soccer team does not shy away from dramatic moments, and Thursday was no different. Sikeston (5-7) fell behind Carbondale, Ill., High School 1-0 late in the second half, but found a way to make the game interesting in the end...

DEXTER, Mo. — The Dexter volleyball team won their second-straight match Wednesday night, rolling past Richland 25-10, 25-9. Alexa Werneck and Blair Rodgers each had four kills apiece while Natalie Sitze led the Bearcats with four aces and five digs...

SIKESTON — Tuesday was a defensive battle between Cape Central and Sikeston, as the two conference and district rivals duked it out on the pitch. The Tigers got the upper hand, though, with a pair of goals to defeat the Bulldogs 2-0, at the Sikeston Recreation Complex in Sikeston...

SIKESTON — Regulation wasn’t enough to decide a winner between Sikeston and Fredericktown on Thursday, at the Sikeston Recreation Complex. Senior Adam Comstock scored his second-straight game-winning goal in the 87th minute, to help lead the Bulldogs to a 1-0 win. The win also improved the Bulldogs to an above-.500 record for the first time this season...

Macy Morehead recorded 17 digs and nine kills as the Saxony Lutheran volleyball team escaped with a straight-set sweep of Sikeston (25-12, 25-23) on Thursday in Sikeston, Missouri. Olivia Spanley also had nine kills for the Crusaders (4-4), who got 21 assists from Olivia Voelker. Makayla Mueller notched 12 digs and served four aces for Saxony...

Kara Kassel stuffed the stat sheet with 17 digs, four blocks, four kills and two assists as St. Vincent volleyball swept visiting North County 25-20, 25-19 on Wednesday. Maegyn Huber added seven kills and 10 digs for St. Vincent (2-1). Lexie Anderson also had four kills, nine digs, and one block while Grace Schrempf notched 10 digs to along with one block, one kill and one ace. Molly Myers chipped in six kills, nine digs and an ace...

SIKESTON — For 100 minutes, Sikeston and Paducah Tilghman High School did not score one goal. Spanning over-regulation, and a pair of overtime periods, the Bulldogs had their chances but couldn’t cash in, as they needed penalty kicks to decide a winner on Tuesday at the Sikeston Recreation Complex...

The Jackson boys soccer team captured the Notre Dame Soccer Fest with a tight, 1-0 victory over host Notre Dame on Saturday at the Brad Wittenborn Soccer Complex in Cape Girardeau. Xavier Heinley broke the deadlock with the lone goal of the contest for the Indians (5-0)...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — After a tough loss to Jackson on Thursday, the Sikeston soccer team rebounded to defeat Poplar Bluff 2-1 in the second round of the Notre Dame Soccer Fest on Friday, at Notre Dame Regional High School. Isaac Vaught and Adam Comstock scored goals for the Bulldogs...

Cape Girardeau Central senior Jared Neikirk was the first runner to cross the finish line with a first-place time of 10 minutes, 36.94 seconds to help lead the Tigers to second place at the Fleet Feet Cross Country Kickoff Classic at the Arnold City Park on Thursday...

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Experience and depth of Jackson proved to be too much for the Sikeston boys soccer team on Thursday, in the first round of the Notre Dame Soccer Fest, at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Jackson won 3-0, as Jake Sauerbrunn scored the first goal three minutes into the contest...

ANNA, Ill. — After a tough start to the season, the Sikeston boys soccer team rebounded nicely with a 2-1 victory over Anna-Jonesboro at Anna-Jonesboro High School on Tuesday. The Bulldogs received goals from Adam Comstock and Trenton Taylor and assists from Jeffery Thornbrough and Bryce Miller as well...

The Cape Girardeau Central girls tennis team quickly rebounded after dropping its first game of the season a day earlier to eke out a historic win over crosstown conference rival Notre Dame in a 5-4 decision on Tuesday at Central High School. It was the Tigers' first win ever against the Bulldogs. ...

The Scott City volleyball team picked up a season-opening win by fighting through a tight first set before sweeping Fredericktown 26-24 and 25-16. Courtney Enderle nailed eight kills to lead the Rams (1-0), while Chloie Raines provided 17 assists and three aces for the hosts. Chloe Clayton also served three aces for the Scott City and Carlie Estes notched 11 digs...

Preview capsules for area boys soccer teams

SIKESTON — The Sikeston girls tennis team kicked off its season against Dexter on Monday at Sikeston High School. Dexter defeated the Bulldogs 5-0 in singles competition and 3-0 in doubles action. The Bearcats were able to control every game, as they were all decided by three sets or more...

Notre Dame junior Blake Morris was the first runner to cross the finish line with local foe Saxony Lutheran senior Caleb Cornelius right behind him in second place in Saturday's First-to-the-Finish Kickoff Classic on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois...

Sophomore Logan Lemons put up four blocks and hammered three kills to lead host Zalma to a 25-18, 25-15 sweep of South Iron as both teams opened their high school volleyball seasons Friday. Senior Alexus Hubbert contributed three kills and two aces for Zalma (1-0). Junior Haley Gunn and sophomore Harley Littleton served four aces apiece for the Bulldogs...

SIKESTON — The Sikeston boys soccer team returns to action after coming off of a 9-15-1 season, in 2017, and are looking for a better result this campaign, under head coach Gabe Dement — who enters his 10th season with the Bulldogs and fifth as head coach of the Bulldogs...

No longer will Missouri high schools have to wait to see an enrollment spike or drop take effect. Beginning this year, the Missouri State High School Activities Association will release new class and district assignments annually. The goal is to make sure schools of similar size are competing against one another, accounting for sudden, drastic shifts in student enrollment...

A trio of Saxony Lutheran girls soccer standouts were named to the 2017-18 Lutheran All-America first team, which was released Monday. Crusader seniors Laurel Mueller (forward) and Ashley Fritsche (goalkeeper), along with sophomore midfielder Emma Brune, received top honors...

Student-athletes from across Southeast Missouri were recognized for their outstanding achievements Saturday night at the region’s premier sports award show. More than 150 athletes from 57 area high schools were on hand for the Fifth Annual Semoball Awards presented by SoutheastHEALTH at the Donald C. ...

The wait is finally over. The fifth Annual Semoball Awards presented by SoutheastHEALTH kicks off Saturday. Southeast Missouri's premier sports award show will welcome more than 150 student-athletes from 57 area high schools to the Bedell Performance Hall on Southeast Missouri State's River Campus for an evening of recognition and celebration...

Lauren Welker doesn't remember the first time she was exposed to Southeast Missouri State soccer. That's because it's just always been there, omnipresent in her backyard and linking her past to her present to her future. The Jackson standout remembers her early days in the sport, going to Southeast soccer camps and playing for Southeast Missouri Soccer Club; she remembers running drills for Paul Nelson, assistant coach at SEMO and SMSC's guiding force, as she built her foundation in the sport...

Meet the 12 members...

Less than a month ago, Oran baseball and St. Vincent girls soccer won Class 1 state championships, capping off a successful spring for area schools. Four teams, three in girls soccer and one in baseball, advanced to the final four with Jackson girls soccer making history by reaching state for the first time in program history...

After 10 months, the list is complete. On Monday, the 45 spring sport finalists for the 2018 Semoball Awards were announced during a selection show live on air on SEMO ESPN Radio 1220 AM. In addition to those individual student-athletes, 15 additional nominees were revealed for Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and Sportsmanship, plus the Lifetime Achievement Award winner...

Sikeston’s Lyndsey McClendon earned a spot on the SEMO All-Conference team on Tuesday. The senior anchored the Bulldogs defense all the way to a No. 1-seed in the Class 3, District 1 tournament. Head coach Gabe Dement said that McClendon was “a shutdown defender with an incredible skill set.”...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eureka, what a shot. Eureka's Sam Courtois swung her leg and let the corner kick fly toward Jackson's net, about 45 yards away. Players on both sides stared skyward and braced themselves near the mouth of the goal for the ball, which was curling toward them all. Opponents jumped and necks stiffened anticipating a header, and Jackson goalkeeper Emily Hermann put up her arms and kept her eyes wide...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Twice in overtime of the Class 4 girls soccer state semifinal, Jackson goalkeeper Emily Hermann came up with big stops on shot attempts by Park Hill forward Alison Walls. The first, after Walls tried a blast from about 15 yards, was a one-handed punch, which Hermann hit straight up into the air and controlled herself. The second was a dive to her right on a much closer shot...

On Thursday, the St. Vincent girls soccer team won a second consecutive state championship, making it four straight years in which a local team has won the Class 1 title -- two by Saxony Lutheran followed by two by the Indians. Meanwhile, in Class 2, 2017 champion Notre Dame played for the top prize again, but suffered late heartbreak in the title game...

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Notre Dame did not repeat as champions in Class 2 girls soccer, but after nearly 70 scoreless minutes in the final, it took an incredible shot by O'Fallon Christian to beat them Thursday afternoon. Sophomore striker Eylessa Kellam, using what she described as something of a "half-bicycle kick," scored with her back to keeper Grace Powderly, stuffing the ball just inside the left post from about six yards away...