CARTERVILLE — Carterville/Herrin had a chance to clinch the inaugural SIRR boys soccer conference championship with a win over Pinckneyville Thursday. The Lions and Panthers engaged in a defensive scrum that ended in a scoreless tie, meaning Carterville/Herrin clinched at least a share of the title pending Anna-Jonesboro/Cobden’s match at Massac County Saturday.

If the Wildcats win, AJC and Carterville will share the title. If the Patriots win, the Lions will be outright champs.

Neither team was able to generate many good scoring chances in the first half. Second half, the Lions had three near misses. Evan Lennox missed high on a rebound off Riley Sims’ free kick. Later, Sims just missed wide on a lefty boot. Then in the final minutes off a throw-in, Sims banged a shot off the crossbar.

The Lions finished SIRR play 6-1-3. The Panthers finished 5-3-2.