CARTERVILLE — Playing in her first match in nearly a month, Murphysboro junior Megan McNitt showed no ill effects from a leg injury or the time off. McNitt scored twice and assisted on a third goal as the Red Devils downed Carterville/Herrin 3-1 to seize control of the SIRR race.

After a scoreless first half, McNitt found the net from a bad angle early in the second half to give Murphysboro a 1-0 lead.

Carterville/Herrin needed just 1:09 to tie it up, as Hillary Siemer took advantage of a loose ball in the box and scored.

It remained 1-1 until McNitt struck again with 10:40 to play, taking a throw in and working her way toward the net and scoring off a lefty boot.

The Red Devils added an insurance tally with 5:51 to play as McNitt led freshman sensation Izzy Doerr with a perfect pass ahead of the defense, and Doerr finished with her 21st goal in the past seven games.

Murphysboro improves to 7-0 in SIRR play, two games ahead of Carterville/Herrin (5-2) with three games to play.