CORBIN — North Laurel turned last week’s disappointment into another regional championship Thursday night, defeating Corbin 3-0 on the Lady Redhounds’ home field to capture its third consecutive 13th Region title.
The Lady Jaguars improved to 7-6-2 while Corbin finished at 8-9-2.
The result came one week after Corbin defeated North Laurel in a penalty-kick shootout in the 49th District championship on the Lady Jaguars’ home field. This time, North Laurel returned the favor with the regional championship at stake.
“We came in knowing we needed to attack a little differently than we did our last game so we picked a new formation and it paid off tonight,” first-year North Laurel coach Jason Welch said.
The Lady Jaguars struck twice in the first half, with Eden Begley getting free on a pair of through balls and finishing both opportunities to give North Laurel a 2-0 halftime lead.
“We were able to get Eden Begley free on two through balls in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into halftime,” Welch said.
Corbin tried to respond after the break, but North Laurel’s defense continued to hold the Lady Redhounds off the scoreboard.
Sarah Watkins then provided the final goal, converting a penalty kick to extend the advantage to 3-0.
“In the second half we managed to hold off their attacks and Sarah Watkins put us up 3-0 with a PK,” Welch said.
For North Laurel, the championship carried even more meaning after the frustration of losing the district final to the same opponent just days earlier.
“There was a lot of pressure and frustration from our loss in the district but we were able to overcome it and play a full team game tonight to get this win,” Welch said.
The victory completed another championship run for a North Laurel program that has now won three consecutive 13th Region titles.
“I’m proud of all of these girls and how they controlled what they could control tonight and that was their effort, their attitude, and their energy,” Welch said.
Photos by Case Croley
