Defense helps fuel Wolverine win at Mitchell

Mireya Roman and Reese Alley each scored two goals Tuesday to lift Polk County to a 6-0 win over Mitchell in a Western Highlands Conference girls soccer match in Ledger.

The Wolverines raced to a e-0 lead at halftime in improving to 7-2-3 overall, 5-1 in WHC play. Polk County hosts Mountain Heritage on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at G.M. Tennant Stadium.

Roman opened the scoring in the 16th minute, poking a goal into the net off a cross by Ava Marino. Several minutes later, Marino slotted a pass through the Mitchell defense that Alley slid past the keeper on a breakaway. Marino then got a goal of her own on a breakaway to close out the scoring in the first half.

Roman and Alley each struck again in the second half as the result of the consistent midfield play of Taytem Johnson and Belen Akers.

Senior Jen Guerrero used her tenacity to beat the goalkeeper for the final goal of the night.

Polk County coaches cited the solid defensive performances turned in by Aria Shields, Julia Griffin and Rollins Carter. Goalkeeper Sara Muse had a quiet night, but did make two acrobatic saves to notch the shutout.