Madison pushed across a goal in the second half Wednesday to hand Polk County a 1-0 defeat in a matchup of Western Highlands Conference co-leaders.
The Wolverines (5-2, 3-2) dropped a game behind the Patriots (6-1, 4-1) and Owen in the WHC conference standings. Polk County travels to Owen on Monday in a must-win match to keep their hopes alive for a share of the league title.
Sara Muse had eight saves for Polk County.
Polk County returns to action on Thursday, hosting Hendersonville in a non-conference match. Junior varsity play begins at 5:30 p.m., with the varsity to follow. Both games will be streamed live on the NFHS Network.
PCHS JVs win: Zaelea Eller scored two goals to lead Polk County’s junior varsity to a 3-0 victory at Madison.
The Wolverines outshot Madison 15-2, with Maggie McCammon recording two saves.
Allison Kennedy scored first for Polk County before Eller tallied twice in the second half, once on a pass from Jamilett Ramirez and later on a shot from some six yards out.
FLAT ROCK NIPS POLK MIDDLE: Flat Rock avenged an early-season 1-0 loss to Polk County Middle on Wednesday, flipping that result to earn a 1-0 victory over the Wolverines in Flat Rock.
The Eagles improved to 1-7, with the Wolverines dropping to 2-6.
Polk Middle begins its final week of the regular season on Monday, hosting Brevard Middle in its last home match of the season.