Rugby Middle denied Polk County Middle’s shot at a Blue Ridge Conference East Division title, edging away in the second half to hand the Wolverines a 3-2 loss Wednesday at Utz Field.
Polk Middle (10-3-1) could have moved past the Raiders (11-1) in the East standings with a win in the regular-season finale for both teams. And Polk held a 1-0 lead at halftime of the division decider.
But Rugby struck in the opening 30 seconds of the second half to even the score, then took the lead with a goal in the 37th minute.
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The Raiders then focused on keeping Polk standout Brennan Oates and teammates away from the net, limiting the Wolverines to only a couple of decent looks at goal in the second half.
With Polk pressing for the equalizer, Rugby instead added another tally with just more than two minutes remaining. That extra score proved the game-winner as Oates ended a wild scramble in front of the net off a Polk corner kick with a goal just as the final whistle sounded.
The Wolverines took the lead midway through the first half on a Callaway Cameron goal, that assisted by Owen Justice and Angel Roman.
Polk Middle will begin play Monday in the Blue Ridge Conference postseason tournament, traveling to Macon Middle for a semifinal matchup.
