The Jackson Memorial and Southern Regional boys soccer games entered their showdown Wednesday on totally different trajectories out of the gate in 2017, but it took just one goal for the tide to turn for both squads.

With his team seeking its first win of of the season, senior Joe Kiernan scored on a pass from junior Dylan Blauvelt in the 45th minute and Southern - the No. 8 team in the Shore Sports Network Preseason Top 10 - beat Jackson Memorial, 1-0, to hand the Jaguars their first loss of the season.

Southern's Joe Kiernan (left) and Jackson Memorial's Joe Schlageter (right) battle for the ball. (Photo by Paula Lopez)
Southern's Joe Kiernan (left) and Jackson Memorial's Joe Schlageter (right) battle for the ball. (Photo by Paula Lopez)
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Jackson Memorial entered the game on a three-game winning streak to open the season, with the Jaguars' most recent win coming Monday on the road against No. 2 Toms River South.

Southern, meanwhile, opened with an overtime loss to Pinelands on Saturday and dropped a 6-1 decision to Brick Memorial on Monday. The Rams lost one of their top scoring threats, senior Ethan Leming, against Pinelands when he was issued a red card prior to overtime. Southern fell apart without Leming on Monday, but pulled out a win without him on Wednesday as the team prepares to welcome him back from the state-mandated two-game suspension.

The Rams will look to make it two in a row Saturday when they host Brick. Jackson Memorial, meanwhile, will look to get back on track Friday at home against No. 9 Toms River North.

 

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