Nerves turned to elation Monday for Polk County as the final whistle echoed across Dietz Field.
For the first time since 2014, the Wolverines are conference champions.
Polk County built a 4-0 second-half lead, then weathered a furious Hendersonville comeback, finally subduing the Bearcats 4-3 in a showdown for the Western Highlands Conference title at Dietz Field.
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Kenley Savaia scored two goals as Polk County (14-2-4, 11-0-1) completed a season sweep of Hendersonville (16-2-1, 10-2) for the first time since 2015. The Wolverines earned a 1-0 victory at home earlier this season.
In the end, Monday’s victory proved just as heart-stopping.
The Wolverines built a 3-0 halftime advantage. Savaia scored in the 15th minute, poking home a loose ball in front of goal. She then set up her older sister, Gabby, in the 17th minute, hitting a cross that Gabby corralled and turned into a left-footed drive from 12 yards out that nestled just inside the far post.
Polk added to the lead in the 37th minute as Gabby Savaia’s corner kick found the head of Reeve Carroll, who found the back of the net to give the Wolverines a stunning 3-0 halftime edge.
Polk added to that margin five minutes into the second half. Gabby Savaia played a long ball downfield, setting up a footrace between Kenley Savaia and a Bearcat defender. Savaia won that sprint, staying a step ahead and driving to point-blank range, slipping a shot into the right side of the net after colliding with the Bearcat goalkeeper.
And then Hendersonville’s offense roared to life.
The Bearcats began relentlessly pressuring Polk goalkeeper Sofie Abrahamsen, with Amelia Hodge finally breaking through on a drive just out of Abrahamsen’s reach in the 62nd minute.
Hodge and Caroline Coggins worked a give-and-go for the next goal, with a Hodge pass springing Coggins free for a 1-on-1 opportunity. Her roller from the left side found the right corner, slicing Polk’s lead in half with 13:36 remaining.
Kenley Savaia scored off another long pass, but was flagged for being offside. Hodge then scored with 4:20 remaining from point-blank range, trimming the Wolverine edge to 4-3.
But that would be all the scoring as Polk’s defense denied every remaining Hendersonville surge. Abrahamsen snared a soft shot as time ran out to spark a Polk celebration.
The Wolverines will receive a first-round bye in the state 3A playoffs and will host a second-round match on Friday, May 14. Pairings for the state playoffs will be announced Friday.
