Firby, Love score for Polk County in 2-1 opening win over Pisgah

Polk County’s girls soccer team passed the first test of its season on Wednesday, topping Pisgah 2-1 in its season opener at Wolverine Stadium.

Sammie Firby and Ashley Love each scored goals for the Wolverines, who despite the close final margin dominated play for much of the spring-like evening.

Polk County (1-0) spent much of the second half with the ball on Pisgah’s half of the field, narrowly missing several scoring opportunities. Two of those came in the final 10 minutes from Addie Lynch, who had shots just deflected by Pisgah’s goalkeeper on both occasions.

And when the Bears (0-1) did push into Polk County’s end, the Wolverine defense typically blunted the surge long before any threat surfaced. Polk goalkeeper Kara Overholt had to make just one save in the second half, a positive start for the Wolverines’ rebuilt defensive back which had to replace three starters from last season’s 19-6-1 team, including all-conference picks Jamie Greene and Kayla McEntire.

Tied 1-1 at the half, Polk County quickly got the go-ahead goal in the second. Gaining possession near midfield, Megan Clements pushed a pass upfield to Love, who dribbled into the middle of the penalty area and rocketed a left-footed shot into the back of the net less than five minutes into the half for what proved to be the winning goal.

After nearly playing to a scoreless tie the first half, both teams scored in a span of two and a half minutes to bring about the halftime tie. The Wolverines tallied first, with Firby breaking into the penalty area, dribbling to her left past a defender and pushing a shot into the net for a 1-0 advantage with 5:26 left in the half.

Polk’s defense made its lone miscue of the night moments later, allowing Pisgah’s Kari Butler to break free along the left wing. Butler slipped past a Polk defender and moved in on Overholt, then pushed a shot just past her diving attempt to stop into the right side of the net, evening the score with 3:04 left in the half.

That would be the lone highlight of the night for Pisgah.

Polk County is back at home on Wednesday, hosting Madison in its Western Highlands Conference opener at 6 p.m.