Poplar Bluff's Allie Thomas (2) dribbles through a Hillsboro defender Monday. Thomas had a goal and an assist in the MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 quarterfinal. (Brian Rosener/DAR) [Click to enlarge]

By BRIAN ROSENER ~ DAR Sports Editor

HILLSBORO -- Missing graduation ceremonies Thursday night would be just fine to the seniors on the Lady Mules soccer team. They want to be playing for a district title.

"Even though we'd have to miss graduation, we don't care," said senior Jackie LeGrand, who scored in a 4-0 win Monday against Hillsboro in the MSHSAA Class 2 District quarterfinal.

"I'd rather be sweating on the field than sweating in my cap and gown."

Standing in the way is top-seeded and 11th-ranked Jackson, a team that has beaten Poplar Bluff three times already during the regular season. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. today with the winner advancing to the championship game set for Thursday.

The last two meetings with the Lady Indians (15-2) have been 1-0 losses for Poplar Bluff (11-7).

"We definitely have to capitalize on any opportunities we get, because Jackson will definitely put pressure on us," Lady Mules coach Mark Papp said. "We have to be ready."

It took the Lady Mules nearly all of the first half to finally break through against host Hillsboro (4-16).

LeGrand scored in the closing minute of the first half and Chelsea Garner scored a pair of second-half goals as Poplar Bluff won a postseason game for the second straight year. Allie Thomas also scored and had an assist while goalies Meagan Stucker and Jerica Wawak combined for the shutout.

"We were able to rest people, which is good, but playing two nights in a row, the long drive, definitely doesn't do us any favors," Papp said. "We'll make no excuses."

Being the fourth seed and playing an extra game may have at least one advantage as the Lady Mules worked out some offensive kinks Monday, adjusting to the artificial playing surface.

"It's a lot faster and the ball bounces higher so that's different too," said LeGrand, who scored her 10th goal of the season. "I think we got it. It's very important to get used to it going into (tonight) because Jackson won't."

LeGrand got a toe on Garner's pass to score Poplar Bluff's first goal late in the first half.

Garner, who had a pair of earlier shots stopped by goalie Alex Vining-Farris, dribbled 15 yards up the middle of the field on a break. The senior found LeGrand just outside the 18-yard line to her left and was able to squeeze a pass through the defense.

Even though they dominated the scoring chances in the first half, the Lady Mules were up just 1-0 at the break.

"Still haven't found the secret (to better starts)," Papp said. "I think it was more of an issue of finishing today than it was creating chances.

"I didn't think we came out flat, we just couldn't either connect that last pass or take that accurate shot to break through."

Vining-Farris stopped shots from Garner and LeGrand in the opening minutes then came out to stop Garner's break before defender Nicole Ludwig cleared in the 10th minute.

LeGrand got off a shot after setting a free kick from Miranda Buroughs but Vining-Farris made a chest-high save.

The Lady Mules were caught offside twice in the 13th minute, came up empty on a corner five minutes later while Thomas had a shot stopped by a diving save and the Hawks were able to clear a dangerous rebound in the 22nd minute.

Vining-Farris made eight saves in all but couldn't get a hand on LeGrand's redirect.

"We helped her out a couple of times by playing the ball right at her, but she kept them in it early," Papp said.

Charlotte Garcia hit the post five minutes into the second half but a minute later, Thomas put Garner in on a break and she was able to get off a low shot from 15-yards out to make it 2-0.

Garner returned the favor by starting a run that led to Thomas' 11th goal of the season in the 55th minute. Garner played a pass to the left side and Allie Pattillo beat her defender up the line before sending Thomas ahead on a break and a 3-0 lead.

Garner scored her team-leading 22nd goal of the season with six minutes left as Poplar Bluff improved to 10-0 when scoring two or more goals in a game.

The Lady Mules, which have given up 1.06 goals per game, also picked up their sixth shutout as Stucker and Wawak, who entered the game with 16:30 left, were untested.

Hillsboro opened the second half with a free kick from 40 yards that sailed wide and every time the Hawks made a run, defenders Katie Godwin, Andi Lampe or Burroughs turned it away and started offensive attacks.

For the seniors and Papp, who is in his final season as coach, the win Monday means another game and they'd like to keep it going into Thursday.

Said Papp: "A little bit of perspective like that brings added purpose."