Sikeston's Ashley Angle (10) puts the ball in the net past a diving Jackson goalie in the first half Thursday night. The goal put Sikeston ahead 1-0 and was the Bulldogs' only goal of the day. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

By Andrew Powell ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com

SIKESTON -- After taking a 1-0 lead over the No. 1 squad of the SEMO Conference, the Sikeston girls soccer team seemed to be in prime position to knock off the Jackson Lady Indians.

"We were set up just the way we wanted it," said Sikeston head coach Derrick Long. "We won the toss, had the wind at our backs and got up on them early."

Sikeston's Laura Atchison heads the ball Thursday evening against Jackson. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat) [Click to enlarge]

But after a few defensive breakdowns and missed scoring opportunities in the second, the Lady Bulldogs found themselves exactly where they didn't want to be. Falling to the Lady Indians 4-1.

"I thought we played well especially in the first half," said Long. "But they came out in the second half, scored a couple of quick goals and really took advantage of our mistakes."

Jackson's first goal which tied the game at 1-1 came eight minutes into the second half as Bobby Jo Schlick would find the back of the net on an assist from Lauren Drewett.

Drewett would then gain another assist four minutes later when she found Hannah Roach to take a 2-1 lead.

"Towards the end of the first half and the start of the second we made an adjustment by put three forwards up top on offense," said Jackson head coach Judy Wunderlich. "And I think that really started to pay off in the second.

"Drewett had a great assist up the middle to Bobby Jo and that really got us going."

Jackson would tack on two more goals for insurance to seal the 4-1 victory.

Junior Ashley Angle was credited for the early Sikeston goal, beating the keeper at the 20-minute mark on an assist from Laura Atchinson.

"I thought Ashley Angle really stepped up and played well for us tonight," said Long. "We pushed her up top to take the place of Abbi Keefer, who is out with an injury. And I felt like her and Jordi (Ferrell) really worked well together up there."

Sikeston (10-11) will be back in action Monday night when they travel to St. Louis to take on Rockwood Summit at 6 p.m.

In junior varsity action, the Lady Bulldogs had similar results, falling to the Lady Indians 2-0. But despite the loss, coach Long felt as JV goalie Sarah Hopson had a really good outing.

"Sarah Hopson had an amazing game," said Long. "She knocked away shots all night and had 17 saves, which is really good in a JV game."