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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CATLETTSBURG \u2014 North Laurel\u2019s Brooklyn Mullins had save-after-save during Thursday\u2019s Elite 8 showdown with high-scoring Boyd County showing why she was voted the best keeper in the 13th Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Mullins had more than 10 saves in North Laurel\u2019s second stunner in a row, defeating the Lady Lions, 1-0, and will now advance to its first Final Four appearance since 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The win improves the Lady Jaguars to 13-3 on the season while Boyd County finishes with a 19-3-1 mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
North Laurel handed the Lady Lions their first loss since Sept. 3 while shutting them out for only the third time this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Jaguars\u2019 first two opponents had a combined 38-4-4 record before their respective matchups with North Laurel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kayla Bargo\u2019s squad never seemed phased during either match, taking both Johnson Central\u2019s and Boyd County\u2019s best punches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Jaguars have now recorded consecutive shutouts for the first time this season, and have a total of six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lady Lions possessed the ball for most of the first and second halves, but North Laurel took advantage when it had possession of the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haley Combs\u2019 goal (her 18th of the season) with 16:50 remaining in the first half turned out to be all the Lady Jaguars\u2019 needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mullins dominated in the keeper position, recording her sixth shutout while Blakelea Shaw turned in one of her best defensive efforts of the season, defending Boyd County leading goal scorer Faith Burnside through the match while holding her scoreless. Burnside entered the contest with 44 goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat a fight,\u201d North Laurel coach Kayla Bargo said. \u201cI\u2019m so incredibly proud of this team. I had a feeling in the first few minutes of the game that whoever could score first would win. Thankfully we found the next first, and that feeling held true. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBrooklyn Mullins played the game of her life,\u201d she added. \u201cAs our only senior she stepped up and carried us to the end of that game. So proud of her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlakelea has been huge for us on the defensive side of the ball this year,\u201d Bargo continued. \u201cWhen we need anyone marked up, Blakelea is our girl. She does an outstanding job of shutting down offensive threats.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n