The Middlesboro Yellow Jackets boys’ soccer team extended their win streak to four games and improved their record to 8-2 on the season with a 5-0 victory over Harlan County at home on Tuesday.

Outside of a 3-4 loss to Whitley County earlier in the season, Middlesboro’s only loss came by way of a forfeit to Oneida Baptist Institute in August. The Yellow Jackets currently sit atop their district with an 8-0 district record. With one regular season game remaining, Middlesboro takes the one-seed into the district tournament.

Harlan County will host the district tournament, beginning on Oct. 8. Millet believes that he has gotten a lot of productivity out of his whole team.

“It’s always good to win games,” said Middlesboro coach Tim Millet. “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing, winning is always the desired result. I’m proud of the way we have been playing this year. We have gotten a lot of productivity out of a lot of different guys this year. We are doing a wonderful job of playing as a team and playing unselfish soccer.”

Millet credits his team’s defense as being the strength of the team.

“Ever since the second half of the Whitley County game, our defense has really been playing extremely well. I’m so proud of the guys we have on defense. Braden Ausmus is just doing a phenomenal job in his first year as a keeper. It makes me wish we would have had him all four years. He has great natural instincts.

“Chuck Woodby and Anthony Wallace are also doing phenomenally for their first year in soccer. Tyshawn Simpson and Blaine Woody have been doing a great job as experienced players as well. Our defense has really been keeping things rolling for us. Guys are still working just as hard at practice as they have been all year.”

Millet believes his seniors will continue to lead the team as well as they have all season.

“We are very excited about this year. We’ve got one more game against Knox Central at home for our senior night, then it’s off to the district tournament,” said Millett. “I’m really proud of our seniors this year and everything they’ve been able to accomplish. We’ve defeated a lot of these teams already which boosts our confidence moving forward because we know we can not only compete, but win.

“Our seniors have done a wonderful job of leading us this year. Ausmus has done a wonderful job in goal, and it’s unfortunate for us that this is his only year playing soccer. T.J. does a wonderful job for us too. He’s very vocal and always making sure he encourages his teammates. Steven Justice is a first-year player as a senior and he was injured earlier in the season. He made it back for this game and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. We’ve got a great team full of great guys and we are looking forward to our last game and the district tournament.”