Polk County's Caelan Gaul stays focused on a free ball while battling a defender in Monday's match

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.