LONDON — North Laurel ended Oneida Baptist’s run as two-time defending 13th Region champion Wednesday night, pulling away for a 5-1 victory in the 49th District Boys’ Soccer Tournament semifinals.
The Jaguars improved to 14-5 and advanced to the district championship while the Mountaineers finished their season at 6-14.
“We came out tonight with a few jitters, but quickly settled in to our game,” North Laurel coach David Broyles said. “We were able to possess the ball and play at the pace we wanted.”
Cam Anderson opened the scoring on a penalty kick after Reilly Stuber drew the foul. Stuber then found Malik Turner, who scored from just outside the 18 to make it 2-0.
North Laurel added a third goal when Stuber beat two Oneida Baptist defenders and finished the opportunity.
“We opened the scoring early when Cam Anderson converted a PK that Reilly Stuber drew,” Broyles said. “We added a second goal when Reilly found Malik Turner who banged into the back of the net from just outside the 18. We got a third goal from Reilly after he beat two OBI defenders.”
Oneida Baptist answered late in the half with a counterattack goal, cutting North Laurel’s advantage to 3-1 at halftime.
“We did get a little lazy on the ball late in the half and let OBI score on a counter attack to get us to 3-1 at the half,” Broyles said.
The Jaguars regained control after the break. Tate Philpot assisted Zach Jacobs for North Laurel’s fourth goal before Jacobs later returned the favor, finding Stuber for the final score.
“We came out the second half and played patient methodical soccer and added a fourth goal when Tate Philpot assisted Zach Jacobs at the top of the box,” Broyles said. “We continued to possess the ball and added a fifth goal when Zach Jacobs assisted Reilly Stuber for the final 5-1.”
Broyles credited Oneida Baptist’s defensive approach for forcing his team to stay patient.
“I have to give OBI credit, they played a lower block defense and forced us to be patient with our possession, but it paid off as we found the open passes in the correct spots to score,” Broyles said.
North Laurel will now prepare for the district championship against the winner of South Laurel and Corbin.
“Now we have to quickly get ready for the championship game against the winner of South and Corbin,” Broyles said.
