Polk offense roars to life in shutout of East Rutherford

Polk County finally broke its scoreless drought Monday.

Then added another goal. And another. And another.

Held without a goal in their first two games, the Wolverines scored twice in the first 12 minutes Monday en route to a 4-0 non-conference victory over East Rutherford at G.M. Tennant Stadium.

Polk County picked up its first win of the season, improving to 1-1-1 in the Wolverines’ only home appearance in their first eight games. East Rutherford dropped to 0-3-1.

The Wolverines struck first on a beautiful goal from Belen Akers, who gained possession on the right wing, just outside the penalty area, and lofted a shot that cleared the East defense and dipped into the left corner of the net, giving Polk a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

Less than a minute later, Polk struck again. Defender Rollins Carter dribbled forward near the top of the penalty box and struck a hard drive that was stopped, but bounded free to the feet of Madison Geddings, who tucked the free ball into the net for a 2-0 Polk lead.

The Wolverines continued to press aggressively and picked up a third goal late in the first half. A clearing pass out of Polk’s defensive half found Akers, who split two East Rutherford defenders for a breakway on the East goal. Akers easily found the left side of the net to up the Wolverines’ advantage to 3-0 in the 32nd minute.

Polk added its final tally early in the second half as Caelan Gaul gained control of a long pass and wiggled free in the penalty area from two East defenders to hit a low drive into the net.

Polk goalkeeper Sara Muse made the lead stand in recording her second consecutive shutout.

The Wolverines are slated to travel to Crest on Wednesday for a non-conference battle.