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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s that time of year again, late July, and I am excited to present my 13th Region Girls\u2019 Soccer Rankings for the upcoming season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s an interesting time with the season almost here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can Corbin repeat as district, and region champions or is it South Laurel\u2019s time to shine? Or can North Laurel surprise both teams and win it all? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s dive into the early predictions and see how things may evolve from now until October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. South Laurel (11-8)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Cardinals had three losses least season against regional opponents \u2014 all three losses were by one goal to Corbin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Laurel looks to change that this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Cardinals return a ton of talent after graduating only two seniors from last season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Losing both players will hurt, but the return of senior Josie Gill will lesson the blow of losing Belle Dotson, the team\u2019s leading scorer from last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tess Little returns as keeper, and could very well be the best in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. North Laurel (5-6-1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Jaguars had trouble scoring goals last season, finishing with 33. I really believe they\u2019ll be much-improved this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a stocked cupboard of players returning, first-year coach Courtney Miller is ready to guide her team to a district, and region title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Corbin (17-5-1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coach Hannah Goins did a fantastic job with the Lady Redhounds last season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now she has the hard task of attempting to lead Corbin to a second straight regional crown after graduating four of her team\u2019s five leading scorers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The four players combined to tally 100 goals last season while the Lady Redhounds finished with 118.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If someone can step up, and take over the scoring duties Grace Gibson, and Olivia Jones left behind, Corbin can surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Whitley County (8-10)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is this the year the Lady Colonels take the next step? It could very well be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Autumn Sawyers, and Deserae Haynes, Whitley County possesses one of the best one-two scoring punches around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key is to get off to a good start, and get a win over one of the big three in district play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This could be the year the Lady Colonels do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Middlesboro (9-4)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After graduating it\u2019s leading scorer, and key players to last season\u2019s success, Middlesboro will be hard pressed to win nine games this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Harlan County (6-11)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Black Bears continue to improve, and I expect the same this fall as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Knox Central (4-12)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look for the Lady Panthers to improve on last season\u2019s four-win total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Bell County (1-12)<\/p>\n\n\n\n