Late Lincolnton goal ends Polk’s season in overtime

For nearly 100 minutes Monday, Polk County and Lincolnton pushed, collided, answered and refused to give way.

Then, with barely a minute remaining, the Wolverines’ season ended.

Diego Abarca scored late in the second overtime period, lifting Lincolnton to a 3-2 victory over Polk County in the third round of the state 3A boys soccer playoffs before a loud crowd at G.M. Tennant Stadium.

The loss ended Polk’s season at 18-4-1 and closed a two-year stretch in which the Wolverines won 36 matches.

A physical match saw Lincolnton strike first in the 12th minute. Douglas Ponce took a free kick from the upper right corner of the penalty area, finding Abarca, who flicked a header into the left side of the net.

Polk answered in the 26th minute.

Ross Dow bent a long free kick from high on the right wing toward the back post. Jackson Blotner raced onto the service and put a shot on goal that Lincolnton goalkeeper Braden Partee deflected, but Brady Carroll was there to knock home the rebound.

The teams went to halftime tied at 1-1.

Polk moved in front six minutes into the second half. Tallis Metcalf took a corner from the right side as Brennan Oates battled to separate from a defender. Oates finally broke toward goal, and Metcalf sent a low ball directly to him. Oates one-timed it into the left side of the net for a 2-1 lead.

Lincolnton responded in the 54th minute.

Ariyon Allen made a run through the middle as Lincolnton worked the ball down the left flank. A cross eventually slipped through the Polk defense, leaving Allen open to finish and tie the match at 2-2.

Neither side could find another goal in regulation, sending the match into two 10-minute overtime periods.

The deadlock held until the final moments of the second overtime.

Alejandro Soto took a free kick from near midfield and sent it deep into the penalty area. Abarca brought the ball down on the right side, found enough room to shoot and drove it into the left corner of the net for the winner.

Polk had beaten Lincolnton 2-0 during the regular season, but the 10th-seeded Wolves turned the rematch into a season-ending result for the Wolverines.

Lincolnton improved to 17-7-3 and advances to face 11th-seeded Shelby, which defeated third-seeded Mount Airy 2-0.