Jackson soccer defeats rival Cape Central

Jackson's Maddie Stelling dribbles down the field during the April 30. game between the Indians and Cape Central.

Photo Courtesy of Carrie Trovillion - Freelance Photographer

Two insurance goals in the second half gave the Jackson Indians girls' soccer team a 3-0 over the Cape Central Tigers on Tuesday at Cape Central High School.

Jackson outshot the Tigers 7-2 in the first half but had just one goal to show for it as the Cape Central goalkeeper, Piper Underwood, made four saves.

Jackson’s Maddie Stelling got things going for the Indians in the 31st minute off a cross pass from Rachel Berger before finding the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. The Indians held the slim 1-0 lead until halftime.

Indians head coach Justin McMullen said Cape Central did a good job making things difficult for his team but he was happy to win.

Jackson's Rilee Monighan goes around a defender during the April 30. game between the Indians and Cape Central.

“I saw a good effort from Cape Central. They came out and made things difficult for us in the first half, but we made some adjustments at halftime and I thought we came out in the second half, kept the ball a little bit more, and created more opportunities,” McMullen said. “I felt like we could have gotten a couple more but at this stage of the season, you'll take what you can get as far as the scoring.”

The first 25 minutes of the second half were back-and-forth as neither team could break through the opposing defense. The 65th minute is when things changed when Jackson’s Rilee Monighan took a shot from about 25 yards out and found the goal for the 2-0 Indians lead. Jackson’s ninth corner kick of the game scored the game-winning goal off the head of Olivia Klinkhardt.

Cape Central’s best chance was in the second half on a ball going off the crossbar of the football goalposts. Jackson’s goalkeeper Camryn Alsdorf did not have much to deal with as the defense in front of her held Cape Central to just five shots.

McMullen said his team’s defense played well tonight, especially in the second half.

“That’s one of the things that we emphasized but our defense has been solid all year. We've been anchored by Mia Becker back there with Ashlynn Dawes and Olivia Klinkhardt,” McMullen said. “Those girls back there allow Alsdorf not to work as hard in certain situations, but I’m pleased with the way we played defensively all around the field.”

Jackson will play their final home game of the year tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. against Seckman while Cape Central will host Saxony Lutheran on Friday at 5 p.m.