Polk County blanks Hendersonville to keep title run alive

Polk County’s girls soccer team isn’t in the driver’s seat yet for a repeat Western Highlands Conference regular-season championship.

But the Wolverines definitely have at least one hand on the wheel.

Polk County moved into a virtual tie for first place in the WHC on Friday, handing Hendersonville a 3-0 loss in a WHC match at Dietz Field in Hendersonville.

It marked the first conference loss for the Bearcats (9-1, 15-3-1). Polk County (11-3, 8-1) must still navigate road trips to Owen and Avery, neither a pushover, before a May 2 rematch in Wolverine Stadium that could decide the WHC champion.

Ashley Love scored two goals and Caroline Lee added another, all in the second half, to power Polk County’s offense, with Baylee Love and Reese Alley notching assists.

But the story of the game may well have been the Wolverine defense, which handed Hendersonville’s potent attack just its second shutout of the season. Goalkeeper Malena Roman had six saves as Polk County recorded its third consecutive shutout.

The Wolverines return to action Monday, traveling to Landrum for a non-conference match.