Middle school tournament roundup: Boys soccer drops heartbreaker, volleyball advances

A determined Polk County Middle School boys soccer squad saw its season come to an end Monday, dropping a tough 2-1 decision to Flat Rock in opening-round Blue Ridge Middle School Conference tournament action at PCMS.

The loss ended Polk Middle’s season at 7-4-1, with all four losses coming by a single goal. Polk also dropped a 2-1 decision to Flat Rock last week.

“They say it’s the best season the school has had in a while, so they’ve got to be proud of themselves,” said first-year head coach Travis Aldred. “They gave it their all.

“We struggled with finishing all year long. We just couldn’t finish. They had only a few chances, but when they had a chance, they converted those chances, just like they did last week.”

Flat Rock built its 2-0 lead before Polk brought its supportive crowd to life late in the second half. Holden Owens drew a foul in the box with 2:46 left in the game, earning a free kick. Ulysseus Saldego took the penalty and calmly buried it, cutting the margin to 2-1.

Polk tried feverishly to score another goal, but Flat Rock was able to hold on to advance to the tourney semifinals on Wednesday.

“This was my first season coaching, and I had a blast,” Aldred said. “I hope the kids had fun as well.”

Middle School Volleyball
Polk Middle rolled past Waynesville Middle in two games, 25-10, 25-14, to maintain its unbeaten record and advance to the Blue Ridge Middle School Conference tournament semifinals.

The Wolverines, now 13-0, will host Bethel on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in the tourney semifinals.