LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — WILLIAMSBURG—Five different players scored as North Laurel rolled to an 8-0 win over 31st District rival Whitley County.

“I’m just thrilled with the way they are playing together more than anything, their spirit toward each other. Very unselfish play,” North Laurel coach Mark Acampa said.

Levi Seidel, Sam Marcum, and Joshua Carter had two goals each as North Laurel bounced back from a loss to Pulaski County, its first loss of the season. The Jaguars also got goals from Garrison Burchell and Keaton Kennedy.

“They are moving the ball around well, which is what we’ve been preaching to them, move faster without the ball than you do with it. Try to find the open guy,” Acampa said.

It took almost 10 minutes for North Laurel to find the goal the first time. Seidel delivered a power shot that had no chance of being stopped. It was only a minute later when Marcum made it a 2-0 game on an assist from Kennedy. Marcum scored again late in the first half to make it 3-0. This time it was a precise looping pass from Kennedy that set up Marcum for the goal.

The second half scoring started quickly with Carter connecting on a pass from Austin Rader. Burchell added a follow on a corner kick to make it 5-0. Kennedy popped a little pass to himself to evade the defense for his goal. With just over 10 minutes remaining, Seidel and a defender collided in the box with Seidel getting the ball and the goal. The Jaguars final score came in the final two minutes with Carter heading a pass from Seidel.

North Laurel has scored eight or more goals in all five of its wins. It took them the first five games combined to score eight goals last year. But it has also been the defense that has impressed Acampa.

“I’m pleased with both. Last year we struggled with putting goals in,” Acampa said. He knows from memory that North Laurel scored 52 goals last season and allowed 53. In four games this season, the Jaguars have scored 28 and allowed three.

“You have to be pleased with what the offense is doing because of the unselfishness, but also with the defense because of how they are covering for each other and trusting each other,” Acampa said.

The Jaguars could easily be 4-0. A 2-1 loss to Pulaski County was a game of missed opportunities that by most accounts North Laurel dominated.

“Not on the scoreboard. Not when it counts,” Acampa said. “That’s what we said. You can play your heart out, but when you miss opportunities, especially early in the game . . . it takes a lot out of your. We became frustrated.”

North Laurel will host Corbin Tuesday as it tries to pick up a second win over a 31st District opponent. The Redhounds are unbeaten with a tie against Pikeville.

mhoward@sentinel-echo.com