Published: September 22, 2008 10:39 am      

Not pretty, but a win

North Laurel downs Estill Co., 3-1

It might not have been pretty, but it was a win as the North Laurel Jaguars defeated Estill County 3-1 on Thursday night.

“We didn’t play as hard or as well as we can,” North Laurel coach Becki Woodworth said. “It was ugly at best.”

The Jaguars gave up an early goal on a header and trailed 1-0 until Brandon Smith found the back of the net during the 19th minute of play to even the score at 1-1.

“Brandon took a great shot and put the ball away,” Woodworth said. “That’s great because that gives us confidence for him. It was a very good goal.”

After several shots on goal, Cam Huff finally put one away on a tough shot during the 21st minute of play to give the Jaguars the 2-1 advantage.

After holding Estill scoreless for the first 19 minutes of the second half, the Jaguars gave up the tying score and Woodworth was not about to settle for a tie game.

“We let down,” Woodworth said. “We didn’t play with that sense of urgency like we did the other night. I told them nothing less than a win was acceptable. It should not have been a game. We have to learn to play our game and not their game. A loss to Corbin is better than a tie here.”

Aaron Beckner stepped up and placed one in the top left corner of the net during the 32nd minute of the second half to give the Jaguars the 3-2 victory.

“Our goals were nice looking,” Woodworth said. They were nice shots. But we had two breakaways we should have finished on. A win is a win and I am happy with that, but we have a long way to go.”

North Laurel hosted Pikeville on Saturday, and will host Oneida Baptist on Thursday.