The Middlesboro High School girls added two more victories to their record late last week. On Thursday they defeated district foe Oneida Baptist Institute by a score of 10-0. They followed with a 5-0 shutout over Cumberland Gap on Saturday at the MHS soccer field.

Assistant Coach Mary Mars went with a younger line-up against Oneida. Eight of the 10 goals in the game were scored by freshmen Lady Jacket players. Natalie Dubin put in 3 goals and fellow frosh forwards Megan Luttrell and Morgan Wilson added 2 apiece, their first as varsity players. Freshman Amber Patterson had one tally after scoring a hat trick last week versus Letcher Central.

The scoring was begun in each half by senior midfielder Ashley Roark, who had 2 goals in the game. Other young MHS players put in strong performances in the district match including defenders Donna Nierengarten and Martha Pannochia. The game was called with six minutes to go when Luttrell put in the 10th goal of the game.

On Saturday the Lady Jackets took on the Cumberland Gap Lady Panthers for the first time. In a hard-fought contest the MHS girls prevailed by a score of 5-0.

Middlesboro carried out a consistent attack from the opening whistle but it took them 20 minutes to get on the board. Midway through the half Marina Hoe settled a high bouncing ball outside the goal box and sent a 12 yarder into the net to put the Lady Jackets up 1-0. Hoe struck again several minutes later by putting a long, arching 30 yard free kick into the top of the net. The Lady Panthers had few first half opportunities as MHS midfielders Anna Sparks and Shaleesha Coleman kept the ball in the Jackets end of the field. The score was 2-0 at the half.

Cumberaland Gap attempted to come back in the second half. Lady Panther Rebecca Creech was close on 2 free kicks. MHS goalkeeper Hannah Lefevers made a charging save early in the half to hold the margin as MHS continued to control the midfield and attack. Lady Jacket Sparks took a ball upfield and sent a crisp pass into the goalbox where Sophie Robinson converted the goal to put Middlesboro ahead 3-0.

With 20 minutes to go Freshman Natalie Dubin chased down a ball in the right corner and sent a low pass across the Lady Panther box. Hoe knocked it in for her 3rd goal of the day to increase the lead to 4-0. Late in the game Robinson hit on another left footer to complete the scoring at 5-0. The Lady Jacket defense of Jenny Powell, Chandler Johnson and sweeper Caroline Chadwell held firm along with keeper Lefevers to record their 4th shutout of the season.

The Lady Jackets are still not at full strength as veterans Megan Mars and Casey Pannochia are on the injured list. Promising sophomore defender Ashley Givens missed the last two games but will be ready to go on Monday.

The MHS girls soccer team now stands at 6-3-1 as they head into tougher district play next week. On Monday they will travel to Corbin for a 5:30 match at the Corbin football stadium.